Logan Ward / CC

The number of tent caterpillars in Saskatchewan should be decreasing in 2018, that from Rory McIntosh, an Insect and Disease Expert with the Government of Saskatchewan.
He says major outbreaks for the insect happen every 10 to 12 years and usually last 3 to 5 years. This year the insect expert says areas in the northern part of the province are in year 4 or 5 of the outbreak and should be seeing the tent caterpillar population receding.
As for down south, the current outbreak started later but McIntosh expects that the tent caterpillar population should be lower this year compared to last year.
McIntosh adds if the insects were going to be a big issue this year, there would have already been lots out and about across the province.
McIntosh says the insects likely won’t harm any trees as it would take several years of multiple caterpillars eating on the same tree to cause significant damage.
According to McIntosh northern Saskatchewan won’t see another major outbreak of caterpillars until around the year 2026.