The attack of caterpillars in various regions in Indonesia is increasingly widespread. Many methods are used by residents or the local agricultural service to eradicate these leaf-eating pests. Most caterpillars are killed using the instant method, which is sprayed with a liquid pesticide that contains chemicals.
However, in many cases, this pesticide spray is not effective enough and caterpillars re-emerge freely to attack plants. The Provincial Office of Agriculture in Bali is slowly changing the pattern of caterpillar pest management by prioritizing biological efforts, namely restoring the balance of the local natural ecosystem.
Now many of the ants are taken by the eggs to feed the birds, while many caterpillar-eating birds are caught. Caterpillar-eating birds are getting smaller means that the ecosystems in nature have begun to be disrupted.
Caterpillar predators that have been known to be effective in controlling populations of caterpillars are crukcuk and rangrang ants. To balance the predator population with caterpillars, the Bali Food Crops Agency has issued letters of recommendation to all regents and district / city agriculture services throughout Bali.
"First, people do not panic and worry so that they cut down plants or trees excessively and avoid contact with caterpillars because it can cause itching. Second, stop catching and or hunting caterpillar-eating birds. Third, also stop the behavior of capturing the eggs of rangrang ants,"
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