Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Walpole (Crossbench). It was answered on Wednesday, 27 April 2011.

Oak Processionary Moth

Question: My Lords, I doubt if the Minister knows the answer, but I would like to know what we are actually looking out for.

Answer: My Lords, one is looking out for a moth. It is called the oak processionary moth that exists on oak trees. It is called the oak processionary moth because it processes up oak trees in a processionary manner, whereupon it does what moths want to do. Being more serious, I should make it clear that Forest Research at the Forestry Commission is offering advice, particularly in the south-west London area, on identification. It is not just our officials and those from the Forestry Commission who will be identifying the moth—we want the public to be able to report on outbreaks as well.

Secondary information