Return of the tent caterpillar in northern Ontario
Tent caterpillar infestations are a problem in northern Ontario every few summers and it looks like they could be returning this year.
People in Timmins said tent caterpillars are already swarming their properties and experts said it’s a sign that another outbreak is on the way.
Tent caterpillar infestation in Timmins. June 5/23 (Sergio Arangio/CTV Northern Ontario)
When the cold goes away, the north’s native caterpillars come out to play and it appears countless thousands of forest tent caterpillars are making a grand return to the Timmins area this summer.
Swarms of them recently made a rowdy appearance at a local elementary school, which had to keep students indoors for recess while pest control dealt with the problem.
The caterpillars have been carpeting nearby roadways and residences and even feasting on one local woman’s apple tree before she could "shoo" them off.
"Normally, you can see at the bottom of my tree," Tammy Hachey said.
"I have some foil there with Vaseline on it. So, that would … prevent the caterpillars from climbing the tree, but I didn’t catch it early enough this time. So, hopefully the tree blooms again."
Sault Ste. Marie entomologist David Dutkiewicz, of the Invasive Species Centre, said tin foil is the perfect way to protect trees from climbing caterpillars and as long as they’re native trees, their leaves will grow back, if the insects manage to sneak a bite.
Swarm of tent caterpillars crawl up door in Timmins. June 5/23 (Sergio Arangio/CTV Northern Ontario)
Dutkiewicz said forest tent caterpillars tend to converge in large numbers about every decade and that the region may be due.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
"Judging by the reports we’re hearing, we are looking at, we’re moving into a forest tent caterpillar outbreak season, whether it’s this year or the next year," he said.
Dutkiewicz said native trees are evolved to be regularly feasted on by these insects, but that binge-eating can eventually become unhealthy for the forest.
"Then it really depletes the sugars in the trees and it can cause other types of diseases," he said.
And forest tree caterpillars have a huge appetite.
They can just keep eating, and leave rows of trees picked clean of their leaves.
Poplar trees tend to be their favourite snack and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said their leaves tend to grow back stronger later in the summer.
Hachey said she’ll be prepared "and be ready with the foil and Vaseline.”
The MNRF is expected to release an annual forest health report in the coming weeks, but said forest tent caterpillars typically aren’t a concern.
Spruce budworms are more dangerous right now, MNRF said, since they munch on coniferous trees and can contribute to forest fires.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Police investigating shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.