PORTLAND, Maine - Maine officials are warning residents that this year's infestation of an invasive caterpillar is high.
The state Agriculture Department says winter web counts for browntail moths were high this year in parts of Cumberland and Sagadahoc counties. There are also pockets of infestations reported in three other counties.
Browntail moth caterpillar hairs can cause a blistery, oozy rash or respiratory distress for people who come into contact with them.
The Portland Press Herald reports web surveys conducted by the Maine Forest Service found the highest counts in Bowdoinham, Bath, Topsham, West Bath, Brunswick, Freeport and Harpswell. The moths' webs also showed up in places including Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Westbrook, Windham, New Gloucester and Yarmouth.
The invasive moth arrived in the country around 1910 on a nursery stock from Europe.