Northfield Patch Interviews Braker About Abundant Caterpillars in Northfield
Nancy Braker, director of the Cowling Arboretum, was interviewed by Northfield Patch regarding the large numbers of eastern tent caterpillars in and around Northfield this spring and early summer. “They are quite abundant this year,” she said. “But they are not a species that concerns us.” Braker noted one benefit of a bumper crop of eastern tent caterpillars: While most birds do not eat caterpillars because of their prickly skin, black-billed cuckoos love them. In years with many caterpillars, the number of cuckoos seen in Northfield also increases, she said.
Nancy Braker, director of the Cowling Arboretum, was interviewed by Northfield Patch regarding the large numbers of eastern tent caterpillars in and around Northfield this spring and early summer. “They are quite abundant this year,” she said. “But they are not a species that concerns us.” Braker noted one benefit of a bumper crop of eastern tent caterpillars: While most birds do not eat caterpillars because of their prickly skin, black-billed cuckoos love them. In years with many caterpillars, the number of cuckoos seen in Northfield also increases, she said.