The oak processionary caterpillar and the forest caterpillar hunter – the story continues
A quiet caterpillar season, an unexpected visit to Jersey and a sequel to the story of the forest caterpillar hunter
Forest caterpillar hunter
Spring is in the air, there are the caterpillars…
And what about the oak processionary caterpillar this year? That is currently the key question for many local governments.
A new spring, a new beginning …
Not just outside life is moving up a gear. The first forest caterpillar hunters are already active again in the labs of the Provincial Nature…
The provinces of Antwerp and Limburg introduce a rare beetle as natural enemy against the oak processionary caterpillar
At the end of May, a group of forest caterpillar hunters (beetle) was moved from the lab to the outdoors. By placing the beetles together with some young oaks and oak processionary caterpillars in a closed, but water and wind-permeable tent, the researchers can determine if the beetles feed on the caterpillars in a more natural environment.
Breeding of the forest caterpillar hunter in the provinces of Antwerp and Limburg
Eggs and adults of the forest caterpillar hunter imported from Turkey are currently being reared and cared for in labs in Antwerp and Limburg.
Study visit Turkey – Breeding the forest caterpillar hunter
Our beetle team went to visit the local facilities of the General Directorate of Forestry in Izmir to learn more about how to breed the forest caterpillar hunter.