Ermine Moth Webs

Wednesday, 02 June 2010

We spotted these rather fascinating webs when leaving our local Wickes recently. The shrubs surrounding the car park were covered in them, creating a rather eerie look. Closer inspection revealed thousands of little caterpillars were steadily devouring the foliage of the shrubbery they had encompassed.

It looked like a fine web over the shrubbery

A quick Google search revealed them to be Ermine moth caterpillars who quite commonly take over whole sections of shrubbery like this in order to feed. Fascinating and creepy in equal measure..

The ermine moth caterpillars had taken over

You can read more about these moths on the RHS website.

All at Vialii