An outbreak of Hawk Moth larvae seems to be plaguing several areas surrounding the Lightning Ridge township after several reports arose describing the sudden rise in number of the caterpillar and its peculiar attraction to the Sandalwood tree. Spanning from first-hand accounts the growing invasion has spread over and between Nebia Hill, the Nine Mile, the Ten Mile and even as far a Wyoming.
Steven Spencer and Karin Thurston of Nebia Hill have been plagued by the insect after they noticed a week ago an increase in numbers and the disappearance of leaves on their Sandalwood trees.
“I have never seen anything like this before,” Mr Spencer said.
“At night the ground comes alive with them.”
They have also estimated that in the past week that they have noticed of the creatures activities that 50 per cent of the Sandalwood foliage in their area is gone.
“I thought they were going to wipe everything out but they seem to be selective and are only on the Sandalwood trees,” Ms Thurston commented.
Jeff McFadden from out at the Nine Mile has also reported sightings in the area.
“It’s not overcrowded here but some places are growing,” he said.
“They are eating the Sandalwood leaves but not stripping them.”
Ten Mile resident Tom Boyes remembers similar outbreaks of the caterpillar in the 70s and 80s after Lightning Ridge was hit by a flood and heavy rains.
“We have a lot of young Sandalwood growing in this area that are being eaten but they don’t seem to be on the other trees,” Mr Boyes said.
A representative of the Western Catchment Management Authority, responding to inquiries by the Ridge News, stated they were not sure why the population seems to have suddenly exploded but noted that a large increase in numbers does happen from time to time.
“They won’t kill the trees but just strip them,” the spokesperson said.
“In time the leaves will grow back”.
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