Pretty Pest - _TNY_9494
The bird-cherry ermine (Yponomeuta evonymella) is a small white moth with rows of black spots along the body - it's rather striking really.
Not many people notice it because of the diminutive size though. But, it is still a very noticeable species - just in a different way.
The caterpillars of this one have figured out that if they hang around together and all of them cover the tree branches where they eat with silk strands, they can create a very difficult obstacle for birds and others who want to eat them.
The result of this is trees often covered in what looks like dense spider web which unsurprisingly isn't the bestthing for the tree - especially in conjunction with the caterpillars devouring all the leaves.
But like I said, the adult moth looks quite pretty...
Pretty Pest - _TNY_9494
The bird-cherry ermine (Yponomeuta evonymella) is a small white moth with rows of black spots along the body - it's rather striking really.
Not many people notice it because of the diminutive size though. But, it is still a very noticeable species - just in a different way.
The caterpillars of this one have figured out that if they hang around together and all of them cover the tree branches where they eat with silk strands, they can create a very difficult obstacle for birds and others who want to eat them.
The result of this is trees often covered in what looks like dense spider web which unsurprisingly isn't the bestthing for the tree - especially in conjunction with the caterpillars devouring all the leaves.
But like I said, the adult moth looks quite pretty...