Rain Clears Soldier Worm Infestation in Folgueras de Cornás, Spain

Heavy rain in mid‑July helped eradicate a severe outbreak of the defoliating “soldier worm” caterpillars that had invaded the village of Folgueras de Cornás in the Tineo municipality. The pest arrived at the start of the month, forcing resident Manuela Rodríguez to leave her home for ten days. The town council hired a specialist firm to apply authorized phytosanitary treatments on July 14, which killed many larvae but the insects began moving to nearby areas. Resident César López monitored the situation and continued applying product around his house until the rain on the evening of July 16 washed away the remaining worms.

Mayor Montse Fernández reported that other nearby villages have contacted the council for advice on controlling the pest. Rocío Huerta, director of Livestock and Animal Health, visited the affected area, noting that the infestation is a regular problem that also appeared three years ago in north‑western councils and in Galicia, and she collected samples for laboratory analysis.