‘Scary’ trees spotted along River Soar Navigation in Leicestershire

Trees covered in ghostly white shrouds prompted a reader to ask LeicestershireLive if they are infected and, if so, what the council is doing about the problem. The “frightening” sight was seen by Gail, 63, from Rothley, along the River Soar Navigation, which is part of the Grand Union Canal.

She said she saw the strange sight between Sileby Mill and Cossington Lock when she was walking on Wednesday, June 5. However, despite their appearance, a spokesman for Leicestershire County Council confirmed that the white coating is a natural occurrence and is caused by a species of moth.

A page dedicated to the phenomenon on the website of the charity butterfly-conservation.org is entitled “Don’t worry about ermine webs”. It states: “At this time of year we often receive reports of ghostly, silky webs covering sections of hedges and sometimes individual trees. Although it may seem quite sinister, don’t be alarmed. The most likely culprit is a harmless one. caterpillar”.

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The canvases, visible since May, look as if they could be taken straight off a film set. These can harbor tens of thousands of caterpillars from a group of moths called small ermine moths, the website explains.

The webs and caterpillars are harmless and usually last from May to June, he adds. The webs disappear during the summer and usually the hedge shrubs/trees regenerate. The adult moths fly later in the summer and all look similar, being white or gray with many small black dots, hence the name ermine, the charity added.

Gail said: “I don’t walk this way very regularly but I do from time to time as it is a beautiful walk along the Soar Navigation. I noticed the moths and the trees and took the photos.”

A spokesman for the county council’s tree team said: “It is quite natural and most likely caused by a species of ermine moth. Looks like it’s been a good year for them.

“It is not necessary to take any action. It is a natural event that for various reasons is more visible in certain years.”