Danish municipalities are suspending purchases of oak trees after the oak processionary moth caterpillar, nicknamed the "hell caterpillar" for its toxic hairs, was detected across multiple regions, including Jutland, Funen, and Copenhagen.
Morsø Municipality confirmed the pest was found in a single newly purchased tree, which was subsequently burned and disposed of, prompting the local authority to halt further oak acquisitions. Herning Municipality reported its first detection on Thursday in a newly planted oak, launching inspections and temporarily stopping imports from affected areas. A larval nest was also discovered in Nordfyns Municipality the same day, while Copenhagen recorded its first cases at three sites near Amager Fælled on Wednesday.
The species is believed to have arrived in Odense via imported German trees used in light-rail construction, where it spread through the city earlier this year.