'Abnormal increase' in caterpillar population at Ukhrul; parkia trees under attack
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, August 08 2019:
With changing mercury levels over the years, there is a rapid increased in the caterpillar population at Ukhrul.
"Abnormal increase of caterpillar population is detected at Wahong village.
The caterpillars are attacking parkia trees (Yongchak) at the village," said worried locals.
Wahong village under Jessami block is 127 km from Ukhrul and has around 200 households.
According to villagers, the population of caterpillars attacking parkia trees increases substantially this year from July onward.
Speaking to this correspondent, Pomi - secretary of Wahong village identified change in the climatic condition as the reason.
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According to Pomi, yellow butterflies arrived in abundant numbers during the month of June and started laying eggs in the parkia leaves.
These eggs, later hatched as larvae and engulf the whole tree.
The cycle of metamorphosis from larvae to adult caterpillars completes within a week, and consequently the caterpillars start eating leaves of the parkia trees.
The caterpillars are able to eat whole leaves of the tree in about 10 days, said Pomi.
The caterpillar is called "Mashephua" in the local dialect and is about 2 inches in length and is greenish in colour.
Most of the parkia trees in the village are withered and may be dying due to lost of leaves, he said.
According to the villagers, at least 18 parkia trees are dead due to rampant attacks by the caterpillars.
Zimik, a village elder from Wahong village expressed that the rapid increase of the new species of caterpillar in the village has developed apprehension on the minds of the villagers that the caterpillars may also attack other standing crops soon.
He also mentioned that only a small population of the species was first noticed in the village seven years ago.
He believes that the caterpillars started to arrive at the village after locals took up extensive parkia plantation.
The exploding population of the caterpillars now poses a threat to the plantations, he said.
Another villager, Vashum said that Wahong village experienced warmer climate this year.
Parkia plantation are now taking place in more than 20 hectares of land in the village and areas around, he said.
Parkia plants grow well and flourish healthy in Wahong village.
The village produces high amount parkia seeds every year.
This led to villagers shifting to parkia plantation extensively, he informed.
Individuals, SHGs and other societies are engaging in parkia plantation in the village, he added.
According to Vashum, one parkia tree is able to produce seeds that could earn an income of about Rs 20,000- Rs 30,000 .
Widespread and uncontrolled attack by the caterpillars on the parkia trees may impact the yield this year affecting the village economy, he said.
The villagers of Wahong urged the department concerned and Government for immediate intervention to prevent further damage to the standing parkia trees in the village.