Up to 250,000ha of the State's jarrah and marri forests is under attack from an army of hairy caterpillars. The creatures, known as gum-leaf skeletonizers, have stripped bare sections of the southern jarrah forest. The West Australian By JANE HAMMOND, The West Australian
March 4, 2011 Up to 250,000ha of the State’s jarrah and marri forests is under attack from an army of hairy caterpillars. The creatures, known as gum-leaf skeletonizers, have stripped bare sections of the southern jarrah forest. Department of Environment and Conservation entomologist Janet Farr said the outbreak was only the second recorded in WA history and had been linked to global warming. She said it had affected an area similar in size to the peak of the previous outbreak that began in 1983 and lasted nine years. The current outbreak is centred on two big areas of forest near Manjimup. Dr Farr said it was hoped a native wasp and a pathogen – the creature’s natural enemies – would help bring numbers down. “The sheer number of caterpillars has meant that their feeding has caused defoliation or browning of leaves in some areas to a point where there is no leaf material left for them to feed on,” Dr Farr said. “The fire hazard within these areas is increased because of the additional leaf fall caused by the caterpillars’ feeding habits.” …

Hairy caterpillars ravaging WA forests