Goldafter
(Euproctis chrysorrhoea)
Recognize and react appropriately
The brown-tail moth is a butterfly native to Central Europe, currently appearing more frequently along the North Sea coast, and whose caterpillars develop an increased number of stinging hairs in the spring months. These fine hairs can cause health problems and allergy-like symptoms in humans and animals.
On this page you will learn how to recognize the goldtail, what dangers exist and how to behave correctly.
The brown-tail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea) is a native moth that lives as a caterpillar on its host plant for most of the year.
Many brown-tail moth caterpillars have already pupated or are currently pupating, and the phase in which the animals develop a particularly large number of urticating hairs is slowly coming to an end. Nevertheless, the Sylt island administration continues to ask for vigilance, as the The toxic stinging hairs can remain in the environment for a considerable time even after pupation. and can cause skin irritation or allergy-like symptoms upon contact. Anyone mowing lawns, trimming hedges, or doing gardening work in known infestation areas should wear long clothing and avoid direct skin contact.
After pupation, the brown-tail moth develops into a white moth. The moths are attracted to light, which is why the island administration recommends... Outdoor lighting in July and August should only be used when necessary. to turn onIf that's not possible, extra warm-white LEDs with the lowest possible color temperature (ideally below 2.400 Kelvin) can be used as light sources. This can prevent the animals from congregating in populated areas.
The Goldafter is a native butterfly, which can be found as a caterpillar on the host plant for most of the year.
The fully grown brown-tail moth caterpillars are 3 to 4,5 cm long and greyish-brown in color. A white stripe runs along each side of the caterpillar's body, and two red stripes run along its back. The entire body of the caterpillar is covered with reddish-brown hairs growing in tufts. The brown-tail moth caterpillars can be identified by their two orange-red funnel-shaped warts distinguish them from other caterpillar species on their abdomen.
Other caterpillars also spin webs. The ermine moth creates veil-like webs on shrubs and trees from spring to summer. Its caterpillars are smaller (up to about 3 cm), lighter in color, sometimes with blackish-gray markings, and hairless. The ermine moth poses no health risk. Our tip: the app ObsIdentify This will help you identify the caterpillar species if you are unsure.
As a general rule, hairy caterpillars should not be touched!
That's the ermine moth, not the brown-tail moth:
Have you discovered caterpillars or webs of the brown-tail moth?
Report the occurrences online.
The goldtail cycle
July
After pupation, the brown-tail moth develops into a white moth about three centimeters long with a characteristic golden-brown abdomen.
Late July - October
The caterpillars hatch from the eggs between the end of July and the beginning of August and shortly afterwards begin to build a web for overwintering. The leaves, skeletonized by the caterpillars' feeding, are spun together in this web.
November - March
The summer webs develop into robust winter webs. The caterpillars retreat into these in October, where they remain over the winter, resting in a protected environment.
April June
From April onwards, the caterpillars leave their webs, continue feeding, and develop into adult brown-tail moth caterpillars until they pupate in June. It is during this phase that they develop most of their toxic stinging hairs.
June
Around June, the now-adult brown-tail caterpillars pupate again before the brown-tail moths hatch after a few weeks and the cycle begins anew.
Webs and caterpillars have now been detected in all five island communities. However, the extent of their spread varies considerably.
Anyone who discovers occurrences is asked to report them via the following online portal:
The brown-tail moth infests various plant species. On Sylt, the caterpillars are frequently found on the Rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa) to be found. In addition, it has also been sighted on hawthorn, sea buckthorn, willows, serviceberry, Swedish whitebeam and blackberries.
Garden plants such as roses, fruit trees and oaks can also be affected.
The rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa) is a common location for the webs of the brown-tail moth.
The caterpillars protect themselves with toxic stinging hairs that can cause health problems and allergy-like symptoms in humans and animals. The following are particularly problematic: late caterpillar stages from April to JuneEven after pupation in June/July, the toxic stinging hairs can remain in the environment for an extended period of time.
The caterpillars' hairs break off easily, can scatter in the environment, and can be spread by the wind. This allows them to stick to skin and clothing and also be inhaled.
The reaction to the stinging hairs can vary greatly and often only hours after contact demonstrate.
The basic rule is: Do not touch webs and caterpillars and keep your distance!
Then please report your symptoms by email to the responsible contact person, Veronika Vogel (veronika.vogel@gemeinde-sylt.de), which documents this and forwards it to the higher authorities.
Helpful information includes the type and location of the symptoms (which skin areas are affected by the rash), the severity of the symptoms, the duration of the symptoms, the connection to the infected person (e.g., which area was visited, direct contact) and whether a doctor has been consulted (if so, with whom?).
allergic reaction
Skin redness, blistering skin rashes, severe itching
Difficulty breathing
burning, inflamed eyes
In very rare cases, anaphylactic shock.
In case of severe symptoms or eye problems, please seek medical help and/or pharmacies.
If you discover the goldtail moth or its webs on your property, you have different options for action depending on the time of year.
If you are unsure, you should contact a specialist company or the Island administration .
From November to March:
During this time, the webs of the brown-tail moth can be removed independently. The following must be observed:
Carefully remove webs cut off completelyDo not damage due to the stinging hairs!
Closed clothing and gloves Wear them. Wash work clothes immediately afterwards at 60°C.
Webs or green material infested with gold-tail moth must not be disposed of via compost or normal green waste.
They must be disposed of separately, securely sealed (e.g., in a sturdy garbage bag), and promptly in the regular trash or burned in a closed fireplace. Until disposal, store them briefly in a cool, sealed container outdoors. Transport must be covered or enclosed. Larger quantities must be declared as contaminated material to the waste disposal company Remondis and delivered accordingly.
The use of plant protection products or biocides is restricted to persons with valid certificate of competence allowed.
From April to October:
Webs or caterpillars should no longer be removed by the homeowner.
Control measures outside the winter months should only be carried out by Specialist companies with appropriate protective equipment and professional expertise be performed.
Webs or green material infested with brown-tail moths must not be disposed of with other green waste or via compost. The infested green waste must be declared as such to the local waste disposal company Remondis and delivered in a securely sealed container.
Anyone mowing lawns, trimming hedges or carrying out gardening work in known infestation areas should wear long clothing if possible and avoid direct skin contact.
Tip: To ensure that infested green material is disposed of properly, request proof of disposal.
& further information
Veronika Vogel, Municipality of Sylt
Information from: