[mels]

The article says the shoreline has been hit the hardest. I am in SE Hartford County and we have a serious problem with the caterpillars...I am hoping our trees can keep their foliage at this rate. I can even hear them eating the leaves at night (sounds like rain on the leaves), it is incredibly creepy. Has anyone else noticed them?


Population of caterpillar harmful to trees at highest levels since 2005

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — It’s common to see a caterpillar or two in the warm months, but the quantity of one variety this year has some local scientists concerned and asking the public for help.

Dr. Gale Ridge, an assistant scientist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, says for the last three weeks, her office has been getting reports from all over the state of an explosion in population of gypsy moths, the most, she says, since 2005.

“We’ve had two consecutive dry springs, last year and this year, and this has conspired to favor the caterpillars,” said Ridge.

Favor them because when it’s moist, most of the gypsy moth caterpillars die due to diseases that thrive in the wet conditions.

The caterpillars are harmless to people, but not trees.

“They are a problem to forest trees and urban setting trees,” said Ridge.

Their source of food is leaves, which the tree has to grow back so it can eat.

“This can sort of exhaust the tree and can eventually kill it,” said Ridge.

The caterpillars can also be a bit of nuisance. They eat primarily at night, making a loud clicking noise in the process, and leaving behind piles of waste. Dr. Ridge says people who see the moths’ egg sacks should act.

“If people see egg masses, which will start to appear when the adults appear in July and August, to destroy the egg masses,” said Ridge.

The caterpillars have impacted the shoreline the hardest.

If you see gypsy moth caterpillars in your area, you’re asked to call the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station at (203) 974-8500.

[JayCT]

I haven't noticed them in Glastonbury. Will keep an eye open though. Jay

[Raider111]

Thought they only come around every 18 years. Has it been 18 years already?
I remember them in '82, then again around '00 or thereabouts.

[HeadedWest]

Spray your yard trees with bacillus thuringensus. (sp?)

[goldentraveler]

I remember the Gypsy moth invasion in the early 80s. Actually, I remember it to be 1980, but I could be wrong. Lived in Norwalk at the time and had lots of mature trees around the house. I was completely grossed out by the whole situation. You could hear those little buggers chomping away ALL DAY LONG. If you left your car outside, it was covered with "you know what". I remember going to the mailbox by the street with my umbrella. You couldn't even run out and back into the house without getting the gross stuff on you and in your hair. We had one huge tree completely defoliated by the caterpillars. It was just unbelievable. Luckily, the tree did survive. It "came back" the following spring, full and beautiful. I look back on the experience and shake my head and almost chuckle about the insanity of it all. But when I think of the possibility of it happening again, I am not laughing, believe me. I'm just thinking no, no, no!

[MrGompers]

I remember these caterpillars being an issue in 1980 or so. My sisters and I kept a few in a jar kinda like pets. I remember adults talking about it a lot and seeing lots of caterpillars on trees. I think the solution was some type of tape that you wrapped around the tree. This was suppose to prevent them from climbing up I guess.

I haven't seen any in my yard yet. The trees around here are looking healthy.

[Lalalally]

I haven't seen any here in northern FFC. I remember when I was a kid -- 1980 I think -- there was an invasion of them. I went to summer camp that year, and the area I was in in upstate NY was absolutely decimated

[clutchrider]

Have them in Wallingford. They are on my shed currently. Was trying to figure out what those caterpillars were.

[billman1]

I called Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station number posted above and will be sending a sample. I have many trees that have the back or shady side covered with catepillars but they don't seem to be moving much and are all lined up vertically on the tree. The woman I spoke to told me that is actually a good sign as they may be dying due to a fungus. The sample I send will help them not only track the migration by area but also to identify areas where the fungus is holding back the growing population. I am located in Monroe, CT.

[mels]

Good to know, billman1. Thanks for the info! I have noticed ours have also slowed down and seem lethargic, at least the ones I can see on the tree trunks. That would be fantastic if they were getting wiped out by a fungus.