Day of the Caterpillars
Imagine this for a movie pitch: a small town in Australia is inexplicably swamped by millions of caterpillars. The caterpillars blanket the town hanging from fenceposts, clothes lines and even clothes. Their presence can cause sickness and allergic reactions in both humans and animals and some of the towns residents can only leave their homes with full protective clothing. Today it’s one small town, however the caterpillars could soon advance to a major Australian city…. and beyond.
It would be thrown out as ridiculous. Yet it’s not a movie, it’s reality.
The Courier Mail Au reports that the Queensland town of Yandaran is under seige from millions of processionary caterpillars. At least one resident, Dallas Boothey, has to wear a full body protective suit because she is allergic to them.
According to Boothey:
They are very easy to kill, just warm soapy water, but we can’t do it by ourselves, because there is so much state forest and crown land
Boothey also points out that the caterpillars are only 28km from the city of Bundaberg and seem to be gradually moving in that direction.
Don’t the Queensland authorities watch horror movies?
