Biocide use in the context of combating oak processionary caterpillars at a historic low
Significantly fewer biocides used in the management of the oak processionary caterpillar in the Netherlands and Flanders
News
2024 – Looking back on a difficult research year
Important steps in the ivy experiment and the forest caterpillar hunter-experiment, little progress in the predatory birds-experiment, still waiting for results on the experiment with parasitic flies/parasitic wasps
Once again a gang of robbers active in Limburg …
Lots of action and a major breakthrough in the breeding experiment with the Forest Caterpillar Hunter
In search of the Forest Caterpillar Hunter with UK Forest Research
A welcome visit from colleagues from the UK, and a joint search for the Forest Caterpillar Hunter
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
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…
35 attendees were inspired during ambassador event
On November 21, we organized a meeting and inspiration day for the ambassador municipalities within the LIFE project.
Up to 3 times fewer oak processionary caterpillars thanks to parasitoid wasps and flies
Initial results show that an average of 67% of the caterpillars are killed by parasitoid wasps and flies. A good result for the project, which investigates how to use natural enemies to keep the caterpillar under control.
More bird species and larger nest sizes than last year
Bird counts and nest box controls were also this year carried out at all test locations for tits. We found more different species in the nest boxes and the litter sizes were also larger than last year. In addition to many Great and Blue Tits, we counted 11 nests of the Pied Flycatcher.
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.
First results survey ambassador municipalities
In June and October, we submitted a questionnaire to our ambassadors to examine, among other things, the use of biocides, the curative treatment of the OPC and the use of ecological management methods. You can read the first results here.
Welcome to our ambassador municipalities
Get to know our ambassador municipalities
Looking back at our first demonstration events
Over the past two weeks, we have organized demonstration events at our test locations in the provinces of Antwerp (BE), Limburg (BE), Noord-Brabant (NL) and Sittard-Geleen (NL).
First results of our field experiments
Our first results indicate that both tits and parasitic wasps and flies may play an important role in mitigating nuisance caused by the oak processionary caterpillar.
Welcome to our demonstration events!
Attend one of our demonstration events at the end of September and learn more about the progress, objectives and first results of the project. We will also visit some of our field locations.
First information boards installed
In the coming weeks, we will be installing no fewer than 81 information boards at our test locations throughout Flanders and the Netherlands to inform passers-by about test setups and our LIFE project.
Looking for territorial male tits
Male tits are inspecting our new LIFE nest boxes. The first results are promising!
Looking for suitable trial locations in Sittard-Geleen
Looking for suitable trial locations in Sittard-Geleen and a short introduction to the 3 ecological techniques.
Sustainably produced nesting boxes
Because we value sustainability, this LIFE project will use nesting boxes manufactured from wood with a PEFC certificate.
Annual demonstration moments
Every year, in all participating provinces, there will be demonstration moments when we will showcase the effectiveness of our trials at locations with and without natural enemies.