i Naturlig bekæmpelse af egeprocessionsspinder. Blandin- gen tiltrækker egeprocessionsspinderens naturlige fjender OAK PROCESSIONARY MOTH CONSUMER PACK The oak processionary moth continues to spread and is now well established in most of Greater London and in some surrounding counties and government studies show the pest spreading on an annual basis. In many places the fire hairs of the caterpillars (larvae) of OPM are a hazard to human and animal health. Based on the results of our research, we now have a special mixture that attracts the natural enemies of the oak processionary moth, such as parasitic flies, parasitic wasps, beetles, green lacewings etc. This mixture is not only available for public green areas but also as consumer pack for planting around trees or to hand out as community planting project. Oak processionary More information about the OPM control on the JUB website: www.jubholland.nl moth mixture MI1676 Kr. 298,00/pr. m² The OPM mix flowering NATURAL CONTROL Four years ago, in collaboration with Silvia Hellingman of ‘Hellingman Research and Advice’, we started to conduct research into attracting the natural enemies of the oak processionary caterpillar/moth (OPM) with flower bulbs. Efficiently combating the oak processionary caterpillars consists of various measures that interact positively. In addition to the preventive spraying of the caterpillars, the removal of the nests and catching the male moths with pheromone traps, stimulating the presence of natural enemies such as birds and insects is an essential link in the management of these troublesome caterpillars. 20

BULBS ATTRACT THE USEFUL INSECTS Tachinid fly on narcissus Hoverfly on crocus Mining bee on anemone There are many insects which fight the oak processionary caterpillars, such as parasitic flies, parasitic wasps, beetles, green lacewings etc. A large proportion of these insects depends on nectar and pollen during their lifetime as adult insects. An example is the common green lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea). The larvae are active predators and feed on aphids, young caterpillars and other small insects. They can also be used in the biological control of insect pests on crops. The green lacewing adults hibernate buried in leaf litter at the edge of fields or other rough places, emerging when the weather warms up in Spring. Each female lacewing lays several hundred small eggs at the rate of two to five per day, choosing concealed spots underneath leaves or on shoots near potential prey. The larvae hatch in three to six days, eat voraciously and can consume large numbers of prey and completely destroy caterpillar colonies. In addition, earlier parasitic wasps are also active, which depend on pollen and nectar. LURE THE NATURAL ENEMIES The trick is to lure these natural enemies of the OPM to the desired locations early in Spring by planting flower bulbs. Yellow flowers attract a lot of insects, that’s why it is important to plant daffodils. Blue grape hyacinths (Muscari) are nectar rich and are frequently visited by insects. Our special OPM mixture combines the most suitable varieties for the best possible result. By planting the right bulbs we create a bridge to the later flowering vegetation that is sown to attract natural enemies. This combination creates the ideal conditions for the natural enemies. Besides, it is also good for bees and other pollinating insects that are already struggling in recent years and, moreover, it’s an attractive and nature friendly option in the public eye. Tachinid fly on Tulipa sylvestris 21

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