District residents are on alert! A caterpillar infestation has begun in the wooded area.

District residents are on alert! A caterpillar infestation has begun in the wooded area.

30.05.2026 10:50

In the Beytüşşebap district of Şırnak, oak and honey forests have been infested with caterpillars as the weather warms up. While centuries-old trees begin to wither after leafing out, district residents have requested pesticide spraying from authorities.

In the forested area of the Beytüşşebap district of Şırnak, caterpillar density has begun to damage trees.

CENTURY-OLD TREES START DRYING UP

With the warming of the weather in the spring months, oak forests and honey forests in the district have been under a caterpillar infestation. For days, all the century-old trees in high-altitude areas have started to dry up shortly after leafing out.

Century-old trees drying up due to caterpillar infestation

DISTRICT RESIDENTS APPEAL TO AUTHORITIES

İdris Öter, a district resident, stated that the caterpillars are causing serious damage to gardens, saying, "The late arrival of spring, combined with the effects of rains, has harmed our forests. They are damaging our fruit trees. The caterpillars have been causing damage for over a month. The relevant state authorities should carry out the necessary spraying to prevent this. Because, as you can see, the entire forest has been destroyed." -

Forest damaged by caterpillars

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