Spectacular images of huge silk web spun by moth larvae in Antrim village

A keen nature observer has captured on camera the spectacular sight of Ermine Moths spinning a silk-like web over 40 metres of hedgerow in Co Antrim.
By Terry Ferry
Published 29th May 2020, 12:56 BST
Updated 29th May 2020, 13:01 BST
The natural phenomenon was captured on camera at Glenoe, Co Antrim.The natural phenomenon was captured on camera at Glenoe, Co Antrim.
The natural phenomenon was captured on camera at Glenoe, Co Antrim.

The east Antrim resident, who asked for his name to be withheld, was in the Rectory Road area of the quiet village of Glenoe yesterday (Thursday) afternoon when his eye was drawn to the natural phenomenon.

He said: “I saw about 40 metres of hedgerow covered with the silk web of the Ermine Moth larvae - there must be literally millions of the larvae.

“I had never seen it before. It’s very striking.”

Larvae at work on the web.Larvae at work on the web.
Larvae at work on the web.

Afterwards he researched what he had witnessed.

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“They are Orchard Ermine Moth larvae. What they do is they lay their eggs and then build a bit of the web. When the larvae emerge, they enlarge it.

“It’s like a sheet of silk. They have a tent over them and can feed underneath.”

The hawthorn which is playing host to the larvae is not harmed, he added.

An ecological consultant indicated the species was likely to be Ermine.

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Dave Allen, director, Allen & Mellon Environmental Ltd, said: “This is a fairly common occurrence across Ireland and is reported widely every year.

“If the hedge is hawthorn and/or blackthorn the webs will be of the Orchard Ermine Moth Yponomeuta padella which is one of the Micromoths.

“Please note it does not kill the host just temporary defoliation – the hedge will recover.”

He pointed out they are regularly reported in south Antrim and it’s part of their normal lifecycle.

Mr Allen also had this advice for people spotting such an occurrence: “Please report to CEDAR Online but please state the foodplant as there are other related species on different hosts.”