The caterpillars of the Oak Processionary Moth (Thaumetopoea processionea) are pests of oak trees as they feed on the leaves of several species of oak and can strip whole trees bare, leaving them more vulnerable to other pests, diseases and stresses, such as drought. In addition, the caterpillars are a hazard to human and animal health.

As volunteers, professionals or as landowners working in or owning areas of woodland, you need to know about Oak Processionary Moth and how to report it quickly.

The Darent Valley Landscape Partnership Scheme (part of the Kent Downs AONB) and Medway Valley Countryside Partnership (MVCP) want to raise awareness of the increasing threat of Oak Processionary Moth in Kent.

This webinar, lead by experts at the Forestry Commission, will introduce you to Oak Processionary Moth, it's current distribution, impact, ecology and how to identify and survey for it, landowner responsibilities and what control methods we can employ.

The short session will be via Zoom and joining instructions will be sent to all registered participants nearer the time. It will be perfect for professionals and volunteers working in a relevant discipline and for tree wardens and woodland landowners.

DVLPS and MVCP hope this will be the first of two sessions and the second will be a practical on the ground session post Covid (TBC) in 2021.

Image © Forestry Commission