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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - It has all the makings of a potential rangeland disaster — thousands of acres of green grass, herds of cattle, antelope and other animals that need to eat versus an emerging army of spiky caterpillars with voracious appetites. But ranchers are hopeful their quick action will take care of the caterpillars — also known as range worms — before they can wreak havoc on pastures in northeastern New Mexico.
Some ranchers have embarked on a campaign to keep the caterpillars at bay on their property with crop-dusters, pickup trucks outfitted with foggers and an insecticide called permethrin. They've already sprayed 108,000 acres and have at least 40,000 acres more to go, Union County extension agent David Graham said Tuesday.
"We're trying to knock them back," he said as he prepared for another day of spraying.
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