Caterpillars make winter wonderland-style spectacle

Moth or butterfly species choose a host plant to lay their eggs on and these then hatch into caterpillars, which create webs to protect themselves

You would be fooled for thinking it is a frosty winter's morning or a Halloween scene, but a once-in-a-year phenomenon that puts a covering of white across trees, bushes and hedgerows is actually down to thousands of caterpillars.

The white webbing has been seen across the East of England this May, and is created on host plants by the larvae who protect themselves from predators before they turn into moths or butterflies.

East Anglian-based entomologist, Dr Ian Bedford, said: "Inside that net blanket is thousands and thousands of little caterpillars all munching on the leaves.

"It is just a visual thing. Trees can cope with leaf damage, so it's something that's part of nature."

Dr Bedford said it was a "phenomenon" people could see once or twice a year in mid-Spring.

With there being little rain this year, it has meant the webs have stayed up for longer.

Ermine moths are one of the species that create webbings to protect themselves from predators

Dr Bedford said widespread webbings were commonly created by the ermine and brown-tail moth species.

The latter can typically be found in coastal areas. Its hairs can cause breathing difficulties and skin rashes, so they are best leaving alone, he said.

"It mustn't worry people," said Dr Bedford.

"I would encourage people if they can see them [the webs], to wonder at the sight."