Whitebeam covered in web

[stihlmadasever]

Any ideas what this is?

We have whitebeam covered in what looks like webs but it covers the entire tree.

Someone said ermine moth but im not sure.

I ll put up a video

[stihlmadasever]

Couldnt upload a video so pictures will have too do

 

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[Paul Barton]

That's the web cast by Ermine Moth larvae.

 

They can cover entire groups of trees!! https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2013/jun/13/caterpillars-ghosts-cambridge-park-in-pictures

[Macpherson]

Yeah, saw it last on a small prunus in Mugdock country park just to the north of Glasgow which you may know, cheers.

 

The most disliked moth? - Scottish Wildlife Trust

[stihlmadasever]

Thanks for quick replys guys,we have half a dozen whitebeam in our cemetry and 3 have been covered in ermine moth.

Should the trees be removed or is it just the BTK bacterial spray to be used.

Can anyone use the spray and how is it applied?

[Macpherson]

Hi, I don,t think they'll kill the tree, certainly the trees I noticed this on all survived and haven't been re-infested since I noticed it several years ago, the web will disappear eventually.

 

It's interesting that your trees are whitebeam as the article I left the link to says that the bird-cherry is they're specific food source, cheers.

[stihlmadasever]

Hi, I don,t think they'll kill the tree, certainly the trees I noticed this on all survived and haven't been re-infested since I noticed it several years ago, the web will disappear eventually.

 

It's interesting that your trees are whitebeam as the article I left the link to says that the bird-cherry is they're specific food source, cheers.

 

Thanks mate

[Anno]

There are a lot of different similar Ermine Moths with very specific host requirements - they can usually be identified to species level by this very fact...

[Macpherson]

There are a lot of different similar Ermine Moths with very specific host requirements - they can usually be identified to species level by this very fact...

 

Yeah, I,m no expert, I only looked into it a little out of curiosity after coming across a similar scene to the op some years ago. cheers for the info.

[Sussex Groundie]

There's also the Oak Processional Moth, catapillars have fine hairs which cause severe burns when touched, when inhaled cause breathing problems for asthma sufferers. Do not touch its a Notifiable Risk though Councils seem reluctant to do anything

 

 

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