Sunrise 6:22: Caterpillars, not frogs

Like many parts of the mid-Penisula this year, the oaks surrounding Lake Lagunita are infested with the Western tussock moth caterpillar. (Last year it was a bumper cross of frogs, but of course the lake had water then.) Dawn Jogging community member Judy spotted a whole pack of them on the fence post near the David and Robin Kennedy Kosher Coop this morning. According to the Menlo Almanac, the one inch hairy creatures can cause rashes and respiratory problems in humans - as well as defeoliating trees. Stanford says its using predatory spined soldier bugs and nematodes to stem the infestation. To think, a warring world of insects just like in the movies...