Caterpillar infestation baffles experts
DSW staff have been unable to clean certain roads in Durban due to a caterpillar infestation.
eThekwini Municipality has engaged experts to determine the cause behind an infestation of hairy caterpillars who are very evident in the Morningside area.
The caterpillars were the topic under discussion at a Parks district quarterly meeting recently.
According to councillor Martin Meyer, the city has engaged experts on the matter, but no one can explain why the caterpillar season extended so late into the year.
“The caterpillar season has been nine months versus the normal three months. It is such a severe infestation this year that DSW staff are not cleaning certain roads due to the caterpillars. I have seen the welts on the staff and I can fully understand why they are concerned. They are migrating from one tree to the next in the area,” said Meyer.
Crispin Hemson from Friends of Pigeon Valley wondered if this was because of climate changes that have affected living things in complex ways.
“For example we had a Spotted Ground-Thrush in Pigeon Valley on 3 October, about a month or more after the usual departure date. I would not worry about caterpillars though, they are doing what they are designed to do – and any surplus will feed some very happy birds!” he said.
Meyer said the city was trying to deal with the problem, but said no toxic spray was being used.
“Where they are made aware of an infestations, they will send a team to use high power water hoses to spray the caterpillars. In extreme cases the trees are cut down,” he said.
If you are aware of a caterpillar infestation in trees on city property, report it to 031 322 4000.
