Odense mayor calls for better support as oak processionary caterpillars infest private gardens

Odense mayor Peter Rahbæk Juel (S) has urged for improved assistance for residents battling the oak processionary caterpillar, known locally as “the larva from hell,” as infestations spread to private gardens, reports DR.

The caterpillars, whose tiny, allergenic hairs cause severe skin irritation, have forced the temporary closure of a recycling station and a daycare center in the city. Residents have reported rashes and blistering after contact with the hairs, which can also trigger eye and respiratory issues.

While Odense Municipality has ramped up efforts—deploying 14 teams in protective gear at a cost exceeding 10 million kroner—Rahbæk Juel stressed the need for solutions to combat the pest on private property, such as through homeowners’ associations.

“We need to adapt our entire society to the reality that this caterpillar is here to stay,” he said.

The mayor has called on the national government to provide financial support, as the current burden on local budgets is unsustainable. Nature and Animal Welfare Minister Christian Rabjerg Madsen (S) did not rule out future funding but confirmed no immediate plans are in place.

A national action plan is expected to be developed after the summer recess to address next year’s infestations. Rahbæk Juel urged swift, decisive measures: “Create a plan that works, and stop sending up trial balloons.”

The oak processionary caterpillar, native to Central and Southern Europe, has spread northward in recent years, now appearing in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and England. Its irritating hairs are most active from mid-May to late July, after which the larvae pupate into moths.