The creatures have taken over the hedge on the A661 towards Spofforth. Ermine moths make a web of protection while they eat the hedge from within, however it should cause no lasting damage to the hedge itself. All photos by Gerard Binks.
![It may look like a huge spiders web at first glance, but there's nothing to worry about.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/QVNIMTIwOTc5Nzkw.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
1. Web
It may look like a huge spiders web at first glance, but there's nothing to worry about.
![Ermine moth caterpillars cover the hedges they take refuge in to protect themselves from predators.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/QVNIMTIwOTc5Nzkx.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
2. The hedge
Ermine moth caterpillars cover the hedges they take refuge in to protect themselves from predators.
![The moths will eat the leaves but the hedgerow will survive in the long term](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/QVNIMTIwOTc5Nzky.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
![The spooky image is like something from Halloween](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/QVNIMTIwOTc5Nzkz.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)