Fuzzy caterpillar destroys foliage in parts of western, central Newfoundland

Fuzzy caterpillars with orange and white backs flourished in the Humber Valley region of Newfoundland this summer. They chomped away at multiple species of trees, leaving brown patches across the landscape.

The white tussock moth caterpillars were abundant, covering patios and falling from trees.

“They were all over the place,” said Corner Brook resident Mark Grady. 

“Up in the trees, down in the bushes. They were everywhere.” 

WATCH | ‘We are sort of infested,’ says one resident who is dealing with caterpillars in his backyard: 

Don’t let this bright, fuzzy insect fool you. It’s wreaking havoc on foliage across the Humber Valley region

They’re fuzzy caterpillars now, but they’ll soon be moths — and they could be here for years. The CBC’s Colleen Connors explains exactly what they are, and what they’re doing to trees.

The species is native to the province, but Atlantic Forestry Centre research scientist Joe Bowden said the spike in its population this summer could be due to climate change, and the hot, dry weather.

“Species are emerging earlier. Species are being redistributed at broad spatial scales across the planet,” Bowden said.

He said he’s seen damaged trees in the areas of White Bay, Green Bay, Corner Brook, St. Albans, Conne River and along the Bay d’Espoir Highway.

Bowden said it was a fairly localized disturbance that did not affect other parts of Canada.

By mid-August, Bowden said the caterpillars finished their feeding cycle, and the male white tussock moths are now flying around. 

The female moths pupate, but are wingless. They stay with the cocoon, laying their eggs there and waiting out the winter months.

The moths will pupate on pretty much any surface, so people may see the white, sticky cocoons on the sides of homes or on decks. 

Bowden said their high numbers will likely continue for several years.

“When populations get dense — whether it’s plants or insects — disease transfers really quickly. So, disease will transfer through those populations quite quickly in the next couple of years, and tends to knock those populations down after sort of three to five years.” 

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