Overview
- Multiple municipalities have cordoned or temporarily closed parks, paths and playgrounds in early June 2026 after sightings of mass caterpillar nests and silvery webs.
- Authorities and conservation bodies distinguish harmless Gespinstmotte webbing from hazardous species such as the oak processionary moth and the Goldafter, which produce microscopic barbed 'Brennhaare' that can cause skin, eye and respiratory reactions.
- Local governments urge people not to touch nests, to report infestations to town offices, and to leave removal to specialist firms that use vacuuming and protective gear to avoid spreading hairs.
- Leipzig has begun a pilot program applying nematodes (microscopic roundworms) as a biological control against processionary caterpillars while other areas prioritize signage and contractor removal to limit chemical use.
- Experts link the outbreaks to a mild winter and a dry, warm spring, note that many shrubs and trees usually recover, and say natural predators often help resolve mass webbing over weeks.