Jambi reports caterpillar problems again

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Tue, 09/06/2011

Caterpillars have again emerged in Jambi, this time troubling around 30 houses in Talang Banjar village in East Jambi.

Hundreds of caterpillars were sighted on trees and plants around each house, tribunnews.com reported Tuesday.

Jambi Agriculture Agency official Izhar said the caterpillars belonged to the Lymantriidae family, meaning they are the larval stage of moths.

Izhar added that the proliferation of the caterpillars may have been triggered by weather in Jambi, which has been humid with high temperatures recently.

“The increasing number of caterpillars may have been influenced by the weather,” he said.

Earlier this year, large numbers of caterpillars were reported in several provinces, including Jambi.