Caterpillar outbreak

There is an outbreak of what I believe to be Forest Tent Caterpillar in our area. They have eaten much of the foliage in the trees around our home. As a biologist, I know that there is little we can do about the outbreak. Insectisides and introduced-predators can be very problematic in the long run.

I guess all we can do is hope that the caterpillars' natural predators start picking more of them off. For anyone else facing this problem, don't worry, Forest Tent Caterpillar outbreaks generally only last for 1-3 years and the trees will grow back. In the rare case that the outbreak continues into 2010, we'll then have to consider our options for elimiating the bug that threatens our neighboring trees.

Graham Lau
York College student
President of Biology Club

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