Latest news with #caterpillars
BBC News
25-05-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Why are there so many web-covered trees in Nottinghamshire this year?
This year has proved to be exceptionally popular for sightings of "spooky" web-covered trees, with social media abuzz with photos comparing the scenery to that of a horror culprit, Ermine moths, are a species which can be found across the people have been reporting their distinctive presence in places which they have never been seen has led to the question of what is special about 2025 - what makes it a great year to be a caterpillar, particularly a Bird Cherry Ermine caterpillar?Here in Nottinghamshire, their distinctive presence has been identified from Rushcliffe to Retford, as well as beyond the Chris Terrell-Nield, from Nottingham Trent University, said a combination of factors had created "ideal conditions" for the caterpillars, but not necessarily for the moths they would become. The silk webbing which covers the flora where the caterpillars emerge is spun shortly after they emerge from their eggs, as a defence Terrell-Nield said because the eggs are laid in clusters, hundreds at a time, the caterpillars' webs can quickly overtake entire trees."Think about it, these are animals which are basically living on trees in the springtime, just at the time of year when there's maximum potential for predation.""Nice juicy caterpillars, and lots of birds wanting to feed their young," he main threat to this protective webbing is heavy rain and wind, but Dr Terrell-Nield said this year's spring had been mild and theorised this is partially why people had noticed them more than normal. "The webs which normally perhaps get damaged... haven't been damaged," he said. "Often they just get washed away and shredded by rain, but we haven't had any."Meanwhile on the flip side, the threat of predators has also been diminished, he added."The number of house sparrows that we have in our gardens has just been going down, and down, and down," he said."That means there is less predation pressure from an an animal which particularly likes these caterpillars. Now other bird species have also not done particularly well at the same time."He has added that the species are always here in the county, so there is nothing bringing them into Nottinghamshire beyond the is instead that there are more caterpillars than normal. However, Dr Terrell-Nield said all insects experienced population "booms and busts", and this was no different for the Bird Cherry Ermine caterpillar or moth noted last year was a "really, really poor year" for the strong showing of caterpillars this year, partially thanks to the dry weather, it is the same weather which could be detrimental when they turn into moths."We think about caterpillars as eating vegetation, and the leaves on trees and the grasses and all kinds of things... but of course the adults are a different story," he entomologist has said that adult moths are "fluid feeders" which rely on nectar."For a plant, nectar is actually relative expensive, because it's mostly water. So if it's very dry, the plant tends to produce less nectar," he despite the abundance of caterpillars this year, there is a risk of "an impending crash" as we approach 2026.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Caterpillars make winter wonderland-style spectacle
You would be fooled for thinking it is a frosty winter's morning or a Halloween scene, but a once-in-a-year phenomenon that puts a covering of white across trees, bushes and hedgerows is actually down to thousands of white webbing has been seen across the East of England this May, and is created on host plants by the larvae who protect themselves from predators before they turn into moths or butterflies. East Anglian-based entomologist, Dr Ian Bedford, said: "Inside that net blanket is thousands and thousands of little caterpillars all munching on the leaves."It is just a visual thing. Trees can cope with leaf damage, so it's something that's part of nature." Dr Bedford said it was a "phenomenon" people could see once or twice a year in there being little rain this year, it has meant the webs have stayed up for longer. Dr Bedford said widespread webbings were commonly created by the ermine and brown-tail moth latter can typically be found in coastal areas. Its hairs can cause breathing difficulties and skin rashes, so they are best leaving alone, he said."It mustn't worry people," said Dr Bedford."I would encourage people if they can see them [the webs], to wonder at the sight." Follow East of England news on X, Instagram and Facebook: BBC Beds, Herts & Bucks, BBC Cambridgeshire, BBC Essex, BBC Norfolk, BBC Northamptonshire or BBC Suffolk.
CTV News
21-05-2025
- Science
- CTV News
‘Ew, those are caterpillars': Clusters of crawlers turning heads near Edmonton
People in and near Edmonton might start seeing an increase in the number of caterpillars around. As Connor Hogg reports, the bugs are mostly harmless.
CTV News
21-05-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Caterpillar outbreak in Edmonton area
People in and near Edmonton might start seeing an increase in the number of caterpillars around. As CTV News Edmonton's Connor Hogg reports, the bugs are mostly harmless.
CTV News
15-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Winnipeg to start spraying for tree caterpillars next week
Tree pest caterpillars are back in Winnipeg, meaning the city will soon start spraying to control them. The city said it plans to start spraying trees Tuesday night. Spraying will happen on weekdays for the next four weeks as long as weather conditions are favourable. The first locations for spraying are Crescent Park, Point Road, Wildwood, and Rockwood. The city said it focuses on areas where there are a lot of caterpillars and it is noticeable that trees are starting to defoliate. The city uses Btk, which is an organic product sprayed directly onto tree leaves. 'Once Btk is ingested by the tree pest caterpillars, they stop feeding and die approximately three days later,' the city said in its news release. Winnipeggers can request a buffer zone around their home, which would prevent spraying within 30 metres of their property. People must submit the application a minimum of 72 hours before spraying takes place in their area. An application can be sent online, by emailing or faxing 311, in person, or by mailing the Insect Control Branch. The application must include a letter and photo ID showing the address to avoid. More details about the spraying process can be found on the city's website.
