Moth Invasion Hits Mongolia

Mongolia has been exposed to a massive influx of moths this year due to the recent vast wildfires that occurred in Siberia. Biologists and officials have issued an alert and advised everyone in the country to assist in exterminating the moths to prevent their continued spread, destruction to crops, and aggravation of allergies.

The gypsy moths are expected to be around until the flight activity of the moths ends on September 1, says B.Ganzorig, the head of the Forest Conservation, Breeding and Rehabilitation Department of the Forest Research and Development Center of Mongolia.

The peak influx is expected to continue for 10 days in mid-August. After that, female moths will start hatching eggs, their flight activity will decline, and the moths will migrate to colonize other habitats, according to experts.

A national survey conducted by the Forest Research and Development Center shows that Siberian silk moths and European gypsy moths have settled in an area stretching 760,000 hectares throughout 85 soums and 15 provinces in Mongolia. Researchers say it's essential to fight and exterminate moths on at least 560,000 hectares of area in 75 soums.

Around 50 to 60 percent of moths in recent swarms have been identified as webbing moths, commonly referred to as clothing moths. Researchers describe the species as a 'super pest' because it is resistant to many insecticides.

Extermination operations have been scheduled for Batsumber soum of Tuv Province and Teshig soum in Bulgan Province, as researchers have found that the moths could devastate crops of cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli, and other vegetables across the country.

The area of infestation closest to Ulaanbaatar is Batsumber soum in Tuv Province, which borders the 'green zone' of Ulaanbaatar, and forests in Khonin...