Far North farmers who have weathered a drought and a cyclone are now having to control a pasture-devouring caterpillar.
Recent near-tropical conditions north of Kaitaia have been very favourable for webworm caterpillars, which feed on the tropical grass kikuyu and can cause widespread damage.
Entomologist Dr Jenny Dymock, who monitors tropical grass webworm numbers for Northland Regional Council, says she has already observed patches of chewed pasture around Motutangi.
She says webworm can literally chew out several hectares of pasture in a couple of days.
