Army of 'very hungry caterpillars' invades popular Alberta campground

Campers at Pigeon Lake Provincial Park, southwest of Edmonton, Alberta, are contending with an unusual influx of visitors: a massive population of forest tent caterpillars.

The furry insects have descended upon the popular campground, covering picnic tables, fire pits, and trees, and stripping some branches bare. "They're not bad if there's a few of them but anything in large amount of numbers is a little eerie," said camper Meghan Bodker, who, along with her partner Robin King, has opted to eat meals inside their trailer due to the swarm.

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They’re not bad if there’s a few of them but anything in large amount of numbers is a little eerie.

Alberta Parks clarifies that this is not an infestation but rather a natural phenomenon. The caterpillars are experiencing a "cyclical boom," a population surge that occurs approximately every 10 to 12 years. While they may be unsettling for some, park officials describe them primarily as a nuisance. The caterpillars, native to Alberta, play a role in the ecosystem as an abundant food source for local birds and wildlife before they enter their cocoon stage and eventually emerge as moths.

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We’ve been doing our eating inside the trailer.