Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
#1
I read about this in the papers yesterday and thought I'd pop along and see for myself. This is the amazing scene at Southend Cemetery Essex. Millions of caterpillars spinning their silk webs all over the trees. In their caterpillar stage, the bugs, known as web worms, weave leaves of trees together and eat them. They are bird cherry tree ermine moths and when they emerge fully grown, they become distinctive white moths with five rows of black dots. It was like a kind of eerie winter wonderland.
Slideshow of photos at:
http://www.slide.com/r/9PdEKnim5T_I25hudUy0aGcOVSgeSgLW?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=originalGuest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
#2
Nice shots Jeane, that is reallllllly wierd.
I thought the 3rd shot was Sid's wallet.
I can come out with funnies sometime Sid.
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
#3
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#4
Pretty Spooky!! Last year over in here St Helier the authorities had to cull(if that's the right word) a similar outbreak as the caterpillars were destroying the trees.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
#5
The council at Southend have said they are not going to spray them but are monitoring the situation with regard to access to affected graves for families etc. I was talking to a few of the locals who said the same thing happened last year, every leaf was gone from the trees the moths like, but they recovered well. It is only affecting a relatively small area of the cemetery where these trees are. It does look odd seeing these bare silvery coloured trees in the middle of summer though.
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
#6
Lovely pictures Jeane, and very eery looking. Are they common in this country?
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
#7
Apparently they are found in Europe from June to August, they seem to like this cemetery as it's a return visit!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#8
thanks for the pictures jeanne.
stunning but a bit spooky too.
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
#9
I`ve been trying to find additional information on the web Jeane.
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
#10
The www or the moths web Colin?!
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#11
In Jersey the trees were so infested with the oak processionary moth that the officials labelled them a health hazard because of their spike like hairs on their body.The trees ended up being felled much to the annoyance of the locals.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
#12
Lovely, if spooky, pics, Jeane.
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
#13
Spooky pictures there Jeane, they look like Spanish moss growing on trees in the grounds of a southern mansion in pre-civil war America, whilst the slaves were toiling in the cotton fields.
#14
Beautiful pictures Jeanne, thank you. It looks quietly awesome there - quite unique.
Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
#15
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. It was a bit like candy floss!
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#16
Looks like it's all been said above.
Thanks Jeane - pleased they don't actually do the trees harm.
Roger
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
#17
Jeane, do you know if this silk can be used commercially, such as silk for making clothes? Is it the same sort of silk that we normally know?
#18
I think it's more like spiders web silk Alexander. Strong enough for Mr Spider but not in the same class as the silkworm offering.
Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
#19
Thanks Roger.
Alexander, I don't believe it can be used commercially as Sid says it's more like a spider web. I could easily break it, it was a bit like candy floss.
