The adhesive foil that caused the deaths of birds in the Herperduin Nature Reserve near Oss was probably used to prevent oak processionary caterpillars. That’s what experts say. They see the technology as useless. Moreover, the moment is striking, because those caterpillars are not there at all at the moment.
The animal police are familiar with the case, a spokesperson said. “It is being examined whether there are sufficient starting points to conduct further research. Information is therefore welcome.”
The animal police indicate that various types of illegal animal trapping equipment (such as nets and glue boards) are sometimes found. Adhesive foil is also sometimes found, but is ‘quite exceptional’.
The plastic foil is then stuck in places where the oak processionary caterpillar occurs in large numbers. Two years ago, the municipality of Oosterhout even called on residents to stop wrapping foil around oak trees.
“They cause the caterpillar to become disturbed and stressed.”
There are several reasons for this. The Oak Processionary Caterpillar Knowledge Center calls the technique ‘pointless and harmful’. And not just because the foil is disastrous for birds, bats and other insects. The adhesive film can even be counterproductive.
“Adhesive strips cause the caterpillar to become disturbed and stressed. The caterpillars then shoot off their stinging hairs, which are blown into the environment. In addition, the plastic can become loose and end up in the environment.”
Forest ranger Frans Kapteijns also says that the technology is useless. “It won’t be until April or May before the oak processionary caterpillar really shows itself. Moreover, those caterpillars just crawl under that foil, so it’s not even useful. Birds, such as the great tit, are affected by it, because they now search the trunk for caterpillars and eggs.”
“Birds are the natural enemy.”
Maasland animal ambulance, which found the dead birds, says that it is better to tackle the processionary caterpillar by hanging birdhouses than by sticking foil on trees.
Forest ranger Frans Kapteijns also thinks that the technique has been used against the caterpillar. “Birds are the natural enemy of the oak processionary caterpillar. A great tit chick eats up to four hundred caterpillars a day. So hang birdhouses instead of adhesive strips.”
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