ALOR STAR: A shortage of food sources, coupled with changing weather patterns, are among the factors contributing to the caterpillar infestation in Kampung Tebengau Tepi Laut, Kuala Kedah.
State Agricultural, Plantation and Logistics committee chairman Dzowahir Ab Ghani said the state Agriculture Department had investigated the infestation yesterday.
"According to the reports, caterpillars infested the Avicennia mangrove trees along the village's coastlines in order to consume the foliage since their food sources dwindled.
"It is also indicated that the caterpillars tend to infest the mangrove areas during the transition between the dry and rainy seasons," he said in a statement today.
Dzowahir said that a similar infestation took place on Nov 27, 2016, occurring in the same month and under similar climatic conditions.
He said the presence of the caterpillars, which will grow into the Teak Defoliator Moth, contributed to the biodiversity balance between mangrove tree species and other plant species in the coastal area.
"The local authorities will take control measures to address the infestation in the near future. The recommended control method is the use of suitable insecticides and should be carried out under controlled conditions," he added.
Dzowahir said that the caterpillars were commonly found in tropical regions, naturally inhabiting forest and mangrove areas.
"The life cycle of the Teak Fefoliator Moth takes between 18 to 36 days, depending on weather conditions and the availability of food sources.
"This insect can be a threat to over 45 plant species, mostly forest or mangrove trees, including the Avicennia mangrove trees found along the coastal areas near the affected village.
"Incidents of this pest attacking plantations and forest have been frequently reported in Southeast Asian countries, India, Mexico, Bangladesh, China, Central America, Africa, Australia, and the Caribbean islands," he added.
Yesterday, it was reported that residents of Kampung Tebengau Tepi Laut, Kuala Kedah, were affected by an infestation of caterpillars.