Berlin grapples with city-wide oak processionary caterpillar plague as schools and sports grounds close

Health risks

The oak processionary caterpillar, the larval stage of a grey-brown moth, has turned into a city-wide plague in Berlin this summer. The caterpillars' microscopic hairs contain a toxin that can cause severe skin rashes, eye irritation and respiratory problems when carried by the wind. There is no mandatory reporting of health cases, so the exact number of people affected remains unclear, but some districts have received a flood of complaints reporting symptoms.

“It can be assumed that in every park with oak trees, the oak processionary moth is present.”

Infestation across the districts

Neukölln reports a large increase compared to the previous year, and its spokesperson said the caterpillar is now so widespread that entire parks cannot be shut. Marzahn-Hellersdorf has counted at least 760 infested trees as of 19 June, with around 320 already treated. In Mitte, at least 600 nests have been reported, most removed by specialist firms. Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg estimates 350 to 400 affected trees, with about 300 nests already cleared.

Marzahn-Hellersdorf760

Mitte600

Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg375

Marzahn-Hellersdorf

760 trees/nests

Mitte

600 trees/nests

Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg

375 trees/nests

Data from the article text

Hotspots and warnings

Lichtenberg has been hit particularly hard. District councillor Filiz Keküllüoğlu described an "enormous number" of citizen reports, concentrated around the Orankesee, Wuhlheide, Oberseepark and Stadtpark. Warning signs have been posted at many locations, especially schools and kindergartens. In Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, the Volkspark Jungfernheide is very heavily affected, and the district had already received around 240 complaints by late June.

“In just two weeks, we received around 400 emails.”

The Neukölln district spokesperson warned that wherever several oaks are found, the caterpillar is likely close by. Information boards have been erected at the entrances to the affected green spaces, including Volkspark Hasenheide and the Gropiusstadt green corridor.

Closures and countermeasures

Nest removal began in mid-June in several districts, but the street and green space offices stress that effective suction can only start once the nests have formed, after the earlier wandering phase in which caterpillars can travel long distances. Infested trees are marked with barrier tape. In Mitte, parts of 13 schoolyards and five sports facilities, including Stadion Rehberg and Stade Napoleon, have been closed. Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf had to shut some sports grounds preventively, in some cases until the end of June. Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg temporarily closed the barbecue area in Görlitzer Park, though larger park closures have been avoided so far. Lichtenberg has placed warning signs at numerous sensitive sites such as childcare centres, schoolyards, sports fields and bus stops.