The oak processionary moth, also known as “the larva from hell,” has been discovered for the first time in Jutland, Denmark, specifically in Horsens Municipality. The discovery occurred earlier this week in a tree located on the grounds of a kindergarten.

The municipality’s communications manager, Lars Bjørn Petersen, confirmed that no one at the kindergarten has had contact with the larvae. Following the discovery, pest controllers removed the larval nest. As of now, no additional oak processionary moths have been found in Horsens.

The municipality is taking proactive measures by closely monitoring the trees in the kindergarten playground in the near future. The oak processionary moth, characterized by its thousands of microscopic hairs, can trigger allergic reactions and rashes in both humans and animals, potentially causing itching and respiratory problems.

Prior to this finding in Jutland, the larvae were initially detected in Odense on Funen in January. While the oak processionary moth has become established in countries like Germany and England, its presence in Denmark has been limited to sporadic individual sightings. It is suspected that the larva may have been transported to Denmark through oak wood imported from Germany.