Montrealers 'don't need to fear' tent caterpillar invasion

Swarms of forest tent caterpillars have been popping up around leafy areas of Montreal, alarming some people who have heard that the species is dangerous.

However, tienne Normandin, an entomologist and collection manager at l'Universit de Montral, says Montrealers "do not need to fear" the tent caterpillar.

Forest tent caterpillarscan be identified by the two bright blue lines that run along the top of their bodiesand their long, golden hairs.

While these hairs can sometimes cause itchiness and rashes, they don't present a serious danger to humans or pets, Normandin says.

Confusion between species causes alarm

Some news sources havereported the caterpillars could cause severe allergic reactions, prompting at least one Montreal school to issue a warning to parents and students.

However,Concordia University biology professorEmma Desplandsaidthat harmless tent caterpillars are not to be confused with thepine processionarycaterpillar, which can be dangerous.

These critters, which canbe deadly if consumed bypets, are confined toEurope, Despland said.

While tentcaterpillars are for the most part harmless, theyshould only be picked up withgloves to avoid the risk of any reaction, said Normandin.

"Ifyou do touch them, you need to wash your hands with a really good soap," he said.

Normandin saidit's normal for people to overreact when insects pop up unexpectedly, especially when they appear in large swarms, whichcan be alarming.

"When insects are involved, a lot of people overreact.It's a normal reaction."

The caterpillars live in large swarms as a defensivetactic against predators.

Caterpillars candamage trees

Normandinsaidby July, the caterpillars will have metamorphosed into brown moths.

Until then, they will be ferociously gobbling up leaves to store up energy for their transformation. However,gardeners with low-growing plants or vegetable gardensdon't need to be concerned, he said.

"[They're]not goingeat your cabbage or your tomatoes, but they will eat the cherry trees, the ash treesand the apple trees," said Normandin.

Tent caterpillars can be dealt with usingpesticides or, if the swarm is small, by simply picking them off the branches.

Tent caterpillars have also appeared in large numbers in other parts of Canada, includingRegina, Winnipeg, Toronto, and parts of northwestern Ont.

Population outbreaks are cyclical, which means Montrealers can expect to see them each springfor the next two to three years.