Discussion keeps the world turning.
This is Round Table.
Coming up: Beijing has a big bug problem.
And no, we're not talking about the little ones that you might not notice at all.
These American white moth caterpillars are dropping from branches, coating sidewalks, and making everyday walks a little nightmarish.
But here's the twist: the city's plan to fight back involves releasing hundreds of millions of parasitic wasps.
Sounds like a science-fiction film, does it not?
Today, we're asking why the infestation this year exploded and whether this tiny, winged counter-attack can actually work.
Our podcast listeners, that is you, can find us at Round Table China on Apple Podcasts.
And don't forget, if you want to contact the show, you absolutely can.
Send us an email or a voice note to roundtablepodcast@qq.com.
Once again, roundtablepodcast@qq.com.
If you've been walking around Beijing recently, then I'm sure you must have noticed an unwelcome sight:
caterpillars hanging from trees, crawling on the ground,
falling from the sky like it's raining, seemingly everywhere you look.
Well, those are the larvae of the American white moth, an invasive species that has become particularly active this year.
While experts say they pose no direct health threat, they can cause serious damage to trees.
And in response, Beijing is rolling out a range of measures,
including releasing hundreds of millions of tiny parasitic wasps to fight the pest naturally.
So why has the infestation become so severe this year?