Trees in Karaganda are being ravaged by caterpillars, leading to destruction.
Young trees in Karaganda are experiencing rapid defoliation, with insects consuming fresh leaves and potentially stripping the city of up to 30% of its green spaces, according to experts. This grave situation transpired due to an exceptional surge in pest activity, attributed to the exceptionally mild winter of 2024-2025, with temperatures average 2.5 degrees Celsius above the norm, removing the previous climatic barrier for their reproduction.
This dramatic situation has already affected 400 trees in Karaganda's Central Park, with experts warning of a second wave of reproduction expected in July. Biologist Denis Syrman explains that a single caterpillar can consume leaves continuously for up to 40 days, and each butterfly lays up to 200 eggs.
To combat this issue, the city has initiated the use of the chemical "Kinfos," supplied from Almaty, for treating affected trees, mainly during early morning hours to minimize contact with residents. Despite the measures, ecologist Dmitry Kalmykov advises residents to avoid any interaction with treated areas, as birds may eat poisoned caterpillars and inadvertently distribute toxic substances to areas such as private plots, potentially impacting human immunity.
The safeguarding of green spaces is a pressing concern for Karaganda, with residents often encountering tree felling due to construction, sidewalk replacement, and other interventions. The caterpillar infestation serves as another severe threat to Karaganda's already sparse urban ecosystem.
Ecologists recommend that local authorities and services act proactively, taking into account the effects of climate change on insect reproduction. Implementing a multi-faceted approach that protects the city's green spaces while respecting its ecosystem may prove essential. This approach may involve integrated pest management techniques that combine physical, cultural, biological, and chemical controls, biological control methods, such as introducing natural predators of the insects, encouraging the presence of beneficial insects, improving tree health, practicing sanitation, and enhancing community engagement, education, and monitoring efforts.
Collaboration with experts and regular scientific monitoring can help ensure that the city's actions are well-informed and effective. In the short term, emergency measures can be implemented to control immediate damage, while long-term objectives include developing a comprehensive pest management strategy, planting insect-resistant trees and flowers, and establishing a monitoring system to track ecological changes.
- The rapid defoliation in Karaganda's green spaces, driven by an increase in pest activity due to climate change, highlights the need foradvanced scientific research and therapies-and-treatments in environmental-science to address this health-and-wellness concern.
- The integration of environmental-science and climate-change studies could provide insights into predicting and mitigating insect reproduction patterns, offering a proactive approach for the preservation of Karaganda's urban ecosystem.
- Emphasizing on health-and-wellness, schools and community centers may implement educational programs focused on climate-change and its impact on insect reproduction, empowering residents with knowledge to contribute to the city's long-term environmental goals.
