5 areas in E. Java anticipate caterpillar attacks

The government has warned at least five areas in East Java against plagues of hairy caterpillars that have been attacking mango trees in their millions in the Probolinggo area.

The five areas are Probolinggo, Pasuruan, Situbondo, Bondowoso and Gresik.

“It is not just Probolinggo. We have sent spraying equipments and pesticides to the four other areas,” East Java Agriculture Agency chief Wibowo Eko Putro said Wednesday, as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

He added that the caterpillar attack had been the worst in the area in recorded history. The insects have attacked more than 7,000 mango trees in four subdistricts.
Eko said the agency had sent a team in efforts to prevent the spread of the caterpillars.

The siege has left many of the area’s mango trees in a critical condition after their leaves have been eaten by the insects.

“To deal with this, we are going to cut off branches so they can grow back,” Eko said.

He added that the caterpillars needed places to morph into butterflies, and mango trees were seen as ideal given the amount of humidity they provide the insects.
Local residents and officials have been burning the caterpillars.

Eko said the sudden onset of caterpillar attacks may also have been fueled by the recent eruptions of nearby Bromo volcano.

“Bromo’s eruptions caused the surrounding areas to heat up, and the caterpillars are looking for humid areas,” he said.