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2 clusters · 7 sources · 6 days · First seen 26 days ago · Last updated 20 days ago

European caterpillar infestations

Overview

In mid-October 2026, a massive invasion of Euclidia glyphica caterpillars caused significant agricultural damage in the Sargans region of St. Gallen, Switzerland. The infestation stripped approximately 50 hectares of meadows bare, representing ten percent of the region’s total meadow area. Officials attributed the surge to warm weather allowing the heat-loving moths to migrate from Southern Europe, noting that the insects currently lack sufficient natural predators in the area.

By late October, a similar phenomenon was reported in northeastern Italy near Vicenza. In this region, an invasion of Mythimna unipuncta caterpillars, also driven by exceptionally high temperatures, caused damage to permanent meadows along the Brenta river. Local officials reported that the species is spreading rapidly from Nove to Quinto, necessitating the complete reseeding of affected meadows. Experts in Italy have advised against using insecticides to manage the outbreak.

Entities

Bruno Inauen · Mythimna unipuncta · St. Gallen · Sargans · Stefano Ferrarini

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] Mythimna unipuncta caterpillars are causing damage to meadows northeast of Vicenza, Italy.
[● 2 SOURCES] The caterpillar population surge is attributed to exceptionally high temperatures for the season.
[● 2 SOURCES] Mythimna unipuncta females can lay more than 1,000 eggs.
[● 2 SOURCES] The caterpillars have damaged permanent meadows on the right bank of the Brenta river.
[● 2 SOURCES] Experts have rejected the use of insecticides to combat the invasion.
[● 2 SOURCES] A meeting was held at the Quinto Vicentino town hall involving local mayors and the Brenta water management association.

Timeline

20 days ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
Caterpillar invasion causes damage in northeastern Italy
An unusual surge in Mythimna unipuncta caterpillars is causing extensive damage to meadows in the region northeast of Vicenza, Italy, following an unseasonably warm period.
26 days ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 4 sources
St. Gallen caterpillar invasion destroys 50 hectares of meadows
Millions of Euclidia glyphica caterpillars have stripped 50 hectares of meadows bare in St. Gallen, Switzerland, causing significant agricultural damage and prompting investigations into control measures.

Sources

fehmarn24.de · mannheim24.de · morgenpost.de · suedkurier.de · tz.de · wp.de · wr.de