Abnormal increase of black caterpillars at Halang village in Ukhrul worries villagers
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, August 28 2018: There is an "abnormal" increase in the numbers of black caterpillars at Halang Park in Ukhrul.

Although some of the villagers are not serious about the rising numbers of the caterpillars, some elders have concern that it may have adverse effect on the crops and other trees/plants in the village.

This correspondent and others came across an army of caterpillars when strolling at the Zingkat Park in Halang village today.

The tree caterpillars, known as Thingkalom locally, are black in colour.

About 2-3 inches in length, the caterpillars were found embedded in a particular tree called Mashui while some scattered within a radius of 10 ft of the tree.

The caterpillars had consumed the whole leaves of the tree.

When asked about the caterpillars, a village woman named Vangamla, who was in the park, said she saw the "sudden and abnormal" rise of caterpillars in the village for the first time.

Another villager, Pemmi Varah who lives by the park said, the caterpillars ate up the whole tree leaves and are gradually moving away in search of another tree with leaves.

"They may soon scatter all over the village feeding on leaves and killing the trees," Pemmi said.

Concerned with the increasing numbers of caterpillar, some youth and elders are planning to set fire in order to kill the caterpillars, Pemmi said and added that the villagers has reported the incident to the concerned department at the District Headquarters, Ukhrul seeking advice.

While some of the villagers are concern that the caterpillars may have serious impact on the crops in fields, the villagers observed that the sudden rise in the numbers of caterpillars is some sort of a natural phenomena.

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