Giant caterpillar cobweb covers London roundabout

Thousands of tiny caterpillars have created a thick layer of cobwebs on a London roundabout - in a scene that looks like something out of an eery movie.

The ermine moth caterpillars, just a centimetre long, have moved into the roundabout in Croydon while they transform into moths.

See also: Caterpillar that looks like Donald Trump found in the Amazon

Speaking to the Daily Mail, National Trust wildlife expert Matthew Oates said the webs work as a protection from predators and parasites as they form their cocoons.

He said: "It's amazing - it's contemporary art and it's by moths rather than us.

"They can strip the leaves of whole bushes and small trees but the following year the majority recover if they are healthy.

"It is inspirational stuff."

ITV News reports that construction manager Jaco Zietsman, 38, took the snaps.

He said that he originally thought the web was the work of a monster spider, laughing: "At first I thought 'I would hate to be eaten by the spider that spun that giant cobweb'.

"However a quick Google revealed it is the work of ermine moth caterpillars. You can actually see the caterpillars in there."

Ermine moths lay eggs on suitable vegetation in early August, which turn into caterpillars later in the month.

The caterpillars then produce webbing over the plant to protect themselves and use as food, before fattening up and emerging as moths.

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