Bermuda's privet hedges are under attack from a tiny pest that devours the leaves.

Ligustrum lucidum, a moth caterpillar, has emerged as a threat to hedges as well as to the Bermuda Olivewood after existing virtually unknown for years.

Now its effects can be seen across the Island as privet hedges all over Bermuda fall prey to its appetite.

According to Dr. Jeffrey E. Jones, the Department of Agriculture's senior plant protection officer, records show that the caterpillar has been on Bermuda since 1968.

But it has emerged with a vengeance this summer and the Department has been swamped with calls from people asking what is wrong with their hedges.

"I searched through our records and it has been recorded as being here since 1968. It was recorded as an insect that was attacking Olivewood, but not in the proportions we are seeing now,'' said Dr. Jones.

"In recent times it seems to have upsurged. There could be certain environmental conditions that make it right for a population explosion, but we would need to do some more research to find out,'' he added.

During the summer his department was inundated with calls about the cause of the hedges' disease. Questions included "is this a new disease affecting my hedge?'' and "could wind or seablast have scorched my hedge so badly?'' One (real) question was: "Do you think my husband threw salt water or some other chemical onto my hedge while I was away?'', he said.

The caterpillar, measuring just two centimetres, creates a refuge for itself by rolling up a leaf and spinning a web.

It uses it as a `base' to attack young leaves in a way that leaves the hedge looking blackened or burnt at the top.

Control measures include trimming the hedge to remove damaged areas, then burning the clippings, treating the hedge with insecticide and conducting timely trimming and treatment.

Dr. Jones added: "It is possibly a threat in the sense that we can hardly find a privet or Olive Wood that has not been attacked.

"However, we are not in danger of losing either of them and management of the pest would certainly ensure the continued protection of the two.''LEAF EATER -- The two centimetre caterpillar Ligustrum lucidum which is eating its way through Bermuda's privet hedges.

Photos by Tony Cordeiro HEDGE WORK -- Dr. Jeffrey E. Jones and his assistant at the Department of Agriculture, Alshia Lugo, inspect a privet hedge for the hungry moth caterpillar Ligustrum lucidum.

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