The Parks Trust have investigated reports of brown-tail moth caterpillars in some of the hedges and trees at Stanton Low Park, next to Oakridge Park housing estate.
These caterpillars are covered in hairs which can cause irritation like nettle rash if they come in contact with human skin.
The Parks Trust found some clusters emerging from their silky nests in a location close to houses and are attempting to remove as many as possible from this site. However, they found that most of the clusters of caterpillars that can be seen in the hedges at the park are in fact those of the small ermine moth.
These moths also lay their eggs in silky tents and the caterpillars emerge to eat the leaves. Unlike brown-tail moths, small ermine moths do not carry any irritant hairs
.
Information about each of these species, with photographs to aid identification, are available on the Forestry Research website.
If visitors or nearby residents find caterpillars that appear to be of the brown-tail moth, please avoid coming in to contact with them.
If these caterpillars are on trees or hedges in our parkland please report the location to The Parks Trust as accurately as you can so they can investigate.
If the caterpillars you see are of the small ermine moth (smaller and paler in colour and without hairs) there is no need for any concern.