A Home Invasion
A home invasion
We have had some good rains in the last two weeks after some 11 months of drought (dry period). In the past 2-3 days we noted some small black caterpillars dangling on their own silk thread or inching up trees. We have seen caterpillars in various colours, forms and sizes before. They are 'instars' (hatched from eggs and growing into final forms) of butterflies (day insects) or moths (night insects). But, we see more and more them today. They are everywhere in wooded areas. They are all over the lawns. They are inching (with their 3 pairs of legs in the front and 2 pairs pf prolegs followed by a pair of claspers at the rear end -- see pictures) up the front doors of the house. They are covering our windows....
We are being invaded by caterpillars -- millions of caterpillars. Why? What bring them out in great number? What are they doing or going to do? Should we report this invasion to authority (for food and forest or environment security purpose)? Were there incidents like this invasion before and what were the results? Were they as bad as locust swarms that denuded wheat farms in Australia before?
(Note the little horn at segment 4 after the third pair of legs)
We looked up the Net but could not find any exact match. The best clue suggests they may be caterpillars of 'oenochroma vinaria' moths (see wikipedia and http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/chro/vina... ).
Anyone know what they are? How do they impact food, environment and people?
I need to know so I can deal with this "natural" event in the right way.
:-)
NB 1) More pictures of members of the 'vinaria' family (note the 3 pairs of legs, 2 pairs of prolegs at rear, a pair of claspers and a horn on the back at body segment 4, similar spots and markings)
http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/chro/vinarb.jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/burtonandy/433576203...
NB 2) Armyworms are more destructive to food production (an outbreak in China 2012 damaged hundreds of millions dollars of food production). See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mythimna_separata
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mythimna_separata_(catepiller).jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mythimna_separata.png
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mythimna_separata.jpg
ความเห็น (8)
Impact food, environment and people ....
==> Quality of life ....น่าเป็นห่วงนะคะ ...
Dear Dr Ple : In contrast to the "happy home coming" (of Songkran as shown in your pictures), my 'home invasion' is full of questions (and no answers yet).
I wonder if the caterpillars are 'coming home' to their ancestral place. Somehow this brings up a meditative view of my present occupation of a little patch in an ancient land. I have been an absolute dictator over the change to make the patch 'suitable for my living' -- I now know I have cared much less for others' living. It is time to live a level up (in the game of life).
Happy Songkran to you and your family -- and safe journeys!
...เป็นเรื่องแปลกที่หนอนกินพืช ...ไต่ขึ้นบ้านปูน...แล้วคุณsr ทำอย่างไร?บ้าง?...เป็นกำลังใจนะคะ
Certainly, you should report this invasion to the concerned authority for further appropriate action to protect our environment as well as your own.
Good luck.
I have similar thoughts to Khun 
. I think who'll know best would be the local authorities. They should be able to give the right moves on this matter. It wouldn't be just your house facing the problem. How about your neighbors?
for concerns and advice.
The outbreak seem wide-spread and many people have started spraying (genocide action).
On my observation and own research they appear 'harmless'. I have put some caterpillars in a bottle to see what the moths look like and further identification.
I am waiting for identification from experts. I definitely do not want chemical control measures unless it is absolutely necessary. So far I can't find any evidence (on the Net) of harm these caterpillars has caused. (Crawling on doors ans windows and clothes and trees and grounds, ... are not a crime, or a harm.)
Let us follow this natural phenomenon as it unfolds. I have been through fires, floods, droughts, political unrest,... I can add one more to my list ;-)
Good on you. I'm waiting to hear your investigation. So happy to hear your thought on our nature friends.
Khun sr, I like your attitude towards this situation and chose to approach it peacefully.
Also, please share with us if and when this natural phenomenon has duly unfolded.