13.07.2026 19:21
After the damage caused by 'Ricania simulans', previously known as the 'vampire butterfly', and the brown marmorated stink bug in the Black Sea Region, caterpillars locally called 'American worm' in Rize are now causing serious harm to agricultural areas. These caterpillars, which damage fruit trees and have rapidly increased in number over the last 20 days, are reported to gnaw and rot the fruit trees.
In the village of Yeniyol, affiliated with Rize's Ardeşen district, harmful caterpillars locally known as "American worm" are causing damage to fruit trees, hazelnuts, kiwis, and tea gardens, worrying the local population.
During a field inspection in the region, the pests were observed in apple, pear, linden, cherry laurel, hazelnut, and kiwi trees, as well as in tea gardens. Producers stated that the pest has rapidly multiplied in the last 20-25 days and requested that control efforts be initiated.
"IT STARTED MULTIPLYING 20-25 DAYS AGO"
Şeref Altay, a village resident, said various claims about the origin of the pest have been made in the region, but no definitive information is available. Altay noted that he first cut and bagged dried branches and leaves, saying, "We don't know how it spread or where it came from. There's misinformation about this in the area. It started multiplying rapidly about 20-25 days ago. When I first saw it, I cut the dried branches and leaves and tried to take precautions by bagging them. Later, I saw it spread uncontrollably."
Altay stated that the pest is particularly seen on apples, pears, linden flowers, cherry laurel, hazelnuts, and tea plants, adding, "It damaged hazelnuts and has started spreading to tea. Many families in the region make a living from tea. Further spread in tea gardens could pose serious problems for producers."
"OUR KIWI AND TEA, ALONG WITH ALL OUR FRUITS, ARE IN DANGER"
Kasım Şişmanlar, a kiwi and tea producer, said the pest is increasing every day and they cannot take precautions with individual methods. Şişmanlar stated, "Our kiwi and tea, along with all our fruits, are currently in danger. It spreads more every day. We make a living from tea, kiwi, and hazelnuts. The pest has started appearing in these products."
Şişmanlar expressed uncertainty about the harvest period for kiwi production, saying, "It has just started being seen this year, but if not prevented, bigger problems could occur in the coming years. We don't know if we'll be able to harvest the kiwi healthily. We expect relevant institutions to inspect the region and develop solutions."
"IT GNAWED THE PEAR FRUITS AND CAUSED THEM TO ROT"
Recep Döne, another village resident, claimed that pear tree leaves dried up and some fruits were gnawed and rotted by the pest. Döne noted that cherry laurel trees in the region were also affected by the caterpillars and said:
"Cherry laurel is a resilient tree that does not shed its leaves in summer or winter. Despite that, we saw its leaves drying. Cherry laurel leaves taste bitter. Tea leaves are similarly bitter. So we are concerned about the pest spreading in tea plants."
Döne stated they observed drying in some tea roots around the trees and said the pests create web-like structures on leaves to lay eggs.
Döne added, "Besides the damage to leaves and fruits, we worry that their numbers will increase more in the coming years due to the eggs laid."
"LINDEN TREES DRIED UP, SPREAD TO KIWI AND TEA"
Turgay Parlak, a producer, stated that some fruit trees have started drying and the pests have spread to kiwi and tea areas.
Parlak said, "If no measures are taken, we may face more serious damage in the future. It has also started appearing in our kiwi and tea. Some linden trees dried up. The spread is increasing every day. We expect an inspection in the region and the initiation of necessary control efforts."
Producers in Yeniyol village requested that expert teams conduct studies in the region to precisely determine the pest's species, identify its spread area, and apply appropriate control methods.