An insect expert is warning of a 'mass emergence of moths' this spring as a native caterpillar destroys the landscape around it.
abc.net.au/news/looper-caterpillar-outbreak-riverland-environment-damage/101972048A tiny native caterpillar has exploded in numbers in regional South Australia, wreaking havoc on the Mallee landscape.An insect expert says it's rare to see such a large scale outbreakThe looper caterpillar, known for its distinctive looping movement, is a common species which generally lives out its life cycle relatively unnoticed, before becoming a moth.
He said the damage to Mallee trees from the looper caterpillars was extensive at the protected Gluepot Reserve, near Waikerie."It almost reminds me of a fire event because the trees are so stripped and so bare," he said."Rather than being a few hectares, it's hundreds of thousands of hectares, so it's a landscape scale outbreak, which is quite rare."
Gluepot Reserve chair Ian Falkenberg said above average rainfall was responsible for the increase in caterpillar numbers.
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