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Issue 6, Sept 2021

Programme updates will be published regularly throughout the Oak Processionary Moth (OPM) season, covering key stages such as caterpillar emergence, as well as information and surveillance. Please share with your contacts where appropriate.

Latest

Oak processionary moth (OPM) caterpillars have now pupated. Male moths were recorded in pheromone traps in the London area from the 20th July. We believe the peak flight period of OPM has happened, at present, we have no records of moths outside of the known distribution of OPM populations. Although the moth has flown the nests and casings from the caterpillars still remain a hazard.

You may recall in 2019 we had 98 interceptions of OPM across all of GB. In 2020, we carried out follow up surveys of many of these sites and found OPM in two areas. Robust eradication measures were put in place and so far, this season we have not seen OPM on these two sites, or others that we are monitoring in the Pest Free Area.  

Stakeholder Meeting-6th October

 At this meeting we will provide an operational update as well as an update on OPM policy. The meeting will be longer than normal and provisional timings are 10:30-15:30 with a break from 12:30-13:30.

At present, we are proposing to hold a face-to-face meeting at the Friends House, opposite Euston station in London but also as an online event. If you are interested in attending this meeting, please sign up via this link for in person or this link if attending virtually. Please be aware that spaces will be limited for the face-to-face meeting.  If we receive more requests than places for the face-to-face meeting, then we will let you know if you can attend or not.
 
Feedback from partners at these meetings plays a key role in developing and evolving the OPM programme. Attendees should come prepared to contribute to the discussions, which will particularly look at what worked well in all aspects of the programme, and what could be improved and how. Ahead of this meeting if you have any comments or questions, please email them to OPM@forestrycommission.gov.uk so we have a chance to address them
.

OPM Reporting

This is a reminder to not approach or touch the caterpillars. Please do report all OPM sightings to us via the online portal TreeAlert www.forestresearch.gov.uk/treealert.  Alternatively, you can send in your reports to opm@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

And finally...

If you’re new to OPM, please note that we have an OPM manual on our website with guidance on surveillance, identification and managing OPM. You can find it at www.forestresearch.gov.uk/opm.  

The Forestry Commission has a suite of communication resources which partners are welcome to use. PDF versions of posters, leaflets and banners available under ‘Further information resources’ at the bottom of the OPM webpage at:  

www.forestresearch.gov.uk/opm.  

Please send us information on your OPM activity so that we can provide up-to-date and comprehensive OPM reports, including developments outside Defra/FC-funded work. Email your updates to opm@forestrycommission.gov.uk  

OPM Control Programme

opm@forestrycommission.gov.uk

Tel: 0300 067 4442

www.forestresearch.gov.uk/opm

TreeAlert
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opm@forestrycommission.gov.uk

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Forestry Commission · Bucks Horn Oak · Farnham · Surrey, GU104LS · United Kingdom