Rise of poisonous caterpillar that can cause lethal asthma attacks is unstoppable, say experts

• Each caterpillar is covered in 63,000 hairs which can trigger potentially lethal asthma attacks
• Fears the insects could affect the Olympics if oak trees in East London suffer an infestation
• Kew Gardens expert says 'you can slow them down but we will never find them all'

The potentially deadly exotic caterpillars invading Britain are unstoppable, an expert warned yesterday.

Oak processionary moths, which are highly toxic pests during their caterpillar stage, have spread into new areas of the country.

There are even fears the insects could affect the Olympics if oak trees in East London suffer an infestation.

Fears: The oak processionary moth caterpillar is highly toxic and have spread into new areas of the country

If this happens, millions of spectators could come into contact with poisonous hairs on the caterpillars that contain powerful toxins.

Each caterpillar is covered in 63,000 of these hairs, which can trigger potentially lethal asthma attacks.

The bristles can blow off in the wind and cause painful skin and throat rashes, running eyes, vomiting, dizziness and fever if you come into contact with them.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2137666/Unstoppable-deadly-invader-Relentless-rise-poisonous-caterpillars.html