Caterpillars are taking over my world

[selkab]

On my drive around the lake today I noticed, in many places, that the highway was paved with caterpillar guts. Aspen trees for miles on end were stripped bare of their leaves. Parts of the highway are dark and look as if the lanes have just been oiled. Millions of caterpillars lay dead on the highway. Possibly billions are chomping trees in the bush. Looks like it's a major Tent Caterpillar invasion.

[meebo1]

then next year they won't have anything to eat

[HerMajesty]

Sounds terrible! It's amazing how many of them can be in a nest, and how much they eat. I've seen them infest cottonwood trees, too.

[countryfeedback87]

Was this a joke?

[HerMajesty]

Don't think it's a joke...............did a search and this is the first news item that showed...
http://www.albertaparks.ca/lesser-sl...erpillars.aspx

[countryfeedback87]

Don't think it's a joke...............did a search and this is the first news item that showed...
http://www.albertaparks.ca/lesser-sl...erpillars.aspx

Wow, maybe not then.

I kept re-reading the "major Tent Caterpillar invasion." bit over and over again to see if it sounded like anything else as I thought it was one of them jokes lol

[suesjools]

Yikes! I normally like caterpillars, but those tent caterpillars are nasty critters. I thought the birds ate them, maybe there are too many for them to keep up. I wonder what can be done?

On an unrelated note, I saw 3 toads in my yard yesterday, very pleased as I haven't seen a toad in ages. I just love frogs and toads, both for their insect eating abilities and the fact that they're so darn cute.

Best wishes for many sales to all,

[FirstGreenIsGold]

About a week ago we were hiking a bit near a creek (up by Notikewin) and there were clusters of them on the poplars, just hatching from their cocoons. Amazing how the bugs come in cycles.