File photo
However, the civic authorities are still wondering how to tackle the menace. "The caterpillars are creeping all over the place," said Kinberly D'souza, a class 10 student living in Juhu koliwada (Santa Cruz west).
In Chembur, Sena workers stuffed the caterpillars in a bag and showed it to Narendra Barde, assistant commissioner of M-west ward. "He has assured us that the insects would be cleared within 15 days," said Bhau Korgaonkar, Shiv Sena vibhag pramukh of the area.
Rahul Khot, entomologist and in charge of collection department of Bombay Natural History Society, said that it was a natural phenomenon and usually caterpillars breed towards end of monsoon. "The sudden outbreak must have baffled the residents," said Khot.
"After reports of black caterpillars in Jogeshwari, the insects have made their way to Juhu Koliwada and Anushakti Nagar in Chembur."
Insects?