Tent caterpillar population expected to be lower than last year

Grande Prairie residents can expect to see tent caterpillars on aspen and poplar trees across the city this summer.

But pest management officials with the city say the numbers will not be as high as what other Peace region communities saw last year.

A late frost or a cool, wet spring could further reduce the tent caterpillar population this year.

Technicians say they have pulled egg bands from about 10 percent of residential poplars, and around 2 percent of aspens in the Bear Creek corridor.

They are encouraging residents to take a close look at their own trees, and remove any egg bands prior to leaf out.