WOODS in Nan’ao Subdistrict in Dapeng are experiencing a “bug crisis” as many trees have been destroyed by pests, the Shenzhen Economic Daily reported yesterday.

    Researchers from Shenzhen Animal and Plant Inspection and Quarantine Technology Center conducted a field investigation in several communities near Nan’ao Subdistrict Office on Friday.

    According to the office, hundreds of podocarpus trees in the area have been invaded by a lot of unknown worms that have made the trees leafless. Some of the worms have already grown into moths with black-and-yellow wings.

    A local resident said that some of these moths were seen in the area last year, but they turned up in large numbers this year endangering local plants.

    “These moths are not exotic. They are usually found in low-altitude regions in Guangdong, Guangxi and Fujian,” a researcher said, adding that the worms of these moths are pests that could severely endanger podocarpus plants but would be harmless after turning into moths, which usually happens in April and May.

    The office said that it would follow the research team’s instructions and use insecticides against the worms, according to the report. (Zhang Yang)