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Issue 2, March 2021

Welcome to our new look oak processionary moth (OPM) programme update. Programme updates will be published regularly throughout the OPM season, covering key stages such as caterpillar emergence, as well as information and surveillance. Please feel free to share with your contacts where appropriate.

Coronavirus

Considering coronavirus (COVID-19), Defra and the Forestry Commission have carried out a review of critical functions and concluded that the control and surveillance of OPM should continue into 2021. All OPM work will take place in line with government measures. We are constantly reviewing official guidance in relation to the coronavirus outbreak and if this situation changes, plans may have to be adjusted.

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Pheromone trapping - can you help?

Pheromone traps allow us to monitor the spread of OPM. Free pheromone traps, lures and equipment are available this year for anyone who would like to set up traps on land which they manage, so please email OPM@forestrycommission.gov.uk if you would like to take part.

The traps will need to be collected from our office in Bucks Horn Oak, near Farnham and COVID-19 secure procedures will be in place to cover this. Please let us know by the 26^thof April as we must order lures from our suppliers in good time. To be eligible for the free equipment you must agree to share the results of your trapping.

Winter survey work

Our winter survey is now finished. Surveys focused on sites where we had no prior information. There have been two notable observations: one infestation in the Dunstable area and the other near Henley-on-Thames. We will be carrying out wider surveillance in these areas during the coming season.

Spray programme

Our spraying contractors have been issued their work orders which are linked to statutory plant health notices (SPHNs). The programme will likely start towards the end of April, dependent on oak leaf emergence. We will have further updates in upcoming newsletters.

Statutory Plant Health Notices (SPHNs)

If you are in receipt of an SPHN for OPM this year, please keep an eye on your oak tree(s) for signs of reinfestation. The best time to survey will be from early June. If you spot OPM on your trees, please report it to us via the contact details below.

OPM awareness training events

If you want to know more about OPM, virtual awareness events will be held via Microsoft Teams on the 2^nd and 4^th of June between 11-12:30pm. Please register your interest here.

Research

OPM research continues into 2021 with the following topics being investigated: OPM’s impact on oak tree defoliation, pheromone trapping and parasitism of OPM by a fly (Carcelia ilica). We are working closely with Newcastle University to identify suitable sites for investigation. Research and evidence will allow us to help advise stakeholders on how better to manage OPM now and in the future.

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 are available under ‘Further information resources’ at the bottom of the OPM webpage at www.forestresearch.gov.uk/opm.

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Our mailing address is:
opm@forestrycommission.gov.uk

Our contact number is:
0300 067 4442

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