UEES WARNS OF MANGROVE MOTH PROLIFERATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE GULF ECOSYSTEM

Description

Recent heavy rains have favored the proliferation of the mangrove moth (Thyrinteina amobia) in the Gulf of Guayaquil, causing defoliation in the mangroves and concern in local communities. UEES researchers explain that the reduction in salinity softens the leaves, making them more vulnerable to attack by larvae. Although these outbreaks recur after rainy seasons – such as in 1990, 1999, 2016-2017 and 2024-2025 – it is a natural process that is often self-regulating, underscoring the importance of continuous monitoring of coastal ecosystems.