Silkworm threatening forest

Experts were overwhelmed by the silkworms' rapid growth

The fire-ravaged taiga forest stretching from one end of Siberia to the other in Russia's Far East is facing a new threat, Russian NTV Mir reports.

After several weeks of fire, aggravated by a heatwave and a prolonged drought, a plague of silkworms now threatens to devour whatever the raging flames have spared.

Since their efforts to combat the onslaught of the silkworms through traditional pest control methods have failed, foresters around Lake Baykal, in southern Siberia, have had to devise new measures.

They are using blow-lamps to burn the eggs before they hatch into the Siberian Gypsy moth, which gorges on the vegetation around the lake.

The pests are multiplying in huge quantities Vasily Martynenko

Fedor Gerasimov, a tree doctor in Irkustsk region, says this appears to be the only option left in the environmentally clean area of Lake Baykal, where there is a ban on applying chemicals to tackle pests.

The insects, which invaded the Irkustsk region from Mongolia, spread out quickly and now cover tens of thousands of hectares.

"The pests are multiplying in huge quantities in shrubs and deciduous plants along roads and railways", says Vasily Martynenko, head of the forestry protection and monitoring department.

'Drastic measures'

The caterpillars have been pupating quickly, helped by the severe drought which has affected the Lake Baykal region for two months, and the taiga forest was soon infested by the moths.

Using fire to save the forest

The experts admit that they are overwhelmed by the extent and speed at which the insects have spread through the area, with larvae clearly visible on fences, stones and buildings.

In an attempt to understand better the life cycle of the insects and find ways to combat their spread, the scientists have been testing new methods.

One technique involves home-made pheromone traps. The pyramid-shaped cardboard structure contains irresistible aromatic bedding which lures eager males to their doom. Once inside, the creature dies.

However, experts say that the result of their experiments will not become clear until autumn.

Meanwhile, the foresters are resorting to flame-throwers in an attempt to contain the threat.

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