Germany Battles Oak Processionary Moth Outbreak in Urban Parks

In June 2026, Berlin’s municipal authorities confirmed a severe outbreak of oak processionary moth (OPM) caterpillars across the city’s parks. The insects, covered in microscopic barbed hairs, have forced the closure of green areas, including the 39-acre Wilhelm-von-Siemens-Park in Spandau and portions of Jungfernheide, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, and Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg districts.

CNN

The OPM, native to southern Europe, has moved northward in decades. EPS-Radar notes that the moth thrives in hot, dry conditions, and its expanding range in Germany is linked to climate change and biodiversity loss.

CNN

• Approximately 2,000 oak trees in Jungfernheide are infested and cordoned off.

CNN

• Each caterpillar bears roughly 700,000 micro-hairs.

CNN

• Removal crews aim to treat about 20 trees per day, though progress varies.

CNN

OPM hairs can cause rashes, conjunctivitis, breathing difficulties, hives, and, in cases, anaphylactic shock. Authorities advise visitors to wash clothing after park visits and to keep windows and doors closed when possible.

CNN

City officials coordinate crews equipped with cherry pickers and vacuum units to remove nests while minimizing hair dispersal. The strategy emphasizes damage limitation, targeting trees nearest visitor pathways. A city official acknowledged that eradication is not feasible and stressed ongoing containment. Urban-nature expert Derk Ehlert has warned the public against touching caterpillars or their nests, reinforcing the need for removal.

CNN

Wunderwald criticized lack of an official safety map, stating, “I was wondering if I can go outside, and where a safe area to have a picnic was, and then I saw there is no actual map for this year.” She added, “I hope that next year it’s getting taken more seriously (by the council), that they act in advance.” Ehlert’s warnings highlight concerns that climate-driven expansion may outpace current control measures.

CNN

EPS-Radar provides a crowdsourced hotspot map, yet municipal sources have not released a citywide risk map. No timeline for full containment has been disclosed, leaving residents uncertain about long-term safety.

CNN

• “I was wondering if I can go outside, and where a safe area to have a picnic was, and then I saw there is no actual map for this year,” — Britta Wunderwald, Map Creator

CNN

• “I hope that next year it’s getting taken more seriously (by the council), that they act in advance,” — Britta Wunderwald, Map Creator

CNN

The city will continue daily nest removal, expand the EPS-Radar map, and assess preventive measures as the season progresses. Experts call for climate-adaptation strategies to curb future OPM expansions.

CNN