Millions of caterpillars strip trees in Sutton Hill area of Telford
Telford & Wrekin Council is carrying out tests after an outbreak of millions of caterpillars around a group of ash trees.
The presence of the caterpillars in Sutton Way, Sutton Hill, has resulted in the complete defoliation of the trees.
The council’s Parks and Open Spaces team is still in the process of trying to identify the species of caterpillar and is consulting both the Forestry Commission and Defra’s Plant Health department.
Matthew Seabrook, Trees and Woodlands Officer for the council, said: “We do not believe there is any danger to the public from what is a fascinating natural phenomenon and this is nothing to do with ash dieback.
“There does not appear to be any other tree species affected and we have not identified any outbreak on a similar scale anywhere else in the borough.
“We have taken samples to observe the caterpillars through their life cycle in a bid to identify the moth as it matures.”
