Halloween comes early! A spooky looking tree created by moth silk in Calne

Spooky tree
Spooky tree
This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald.

A Halloween-like spectacle has emerged in Calne.

But it is all totally natural. Gazette reader Charlotte Dacre sent us the picture, saying:

"Towards Lickhill Road in Calne, there is a tree that is covered in spindle ermine moth (Yponomeuta cagnagella) caterpillars.

"It's a beautiful phenomenon to see, and one that I've never experienced in the 23 years that I've lived here! They don't harm the tree. The tree will recover the following year. They create a silk like web around the spindle tree (specifically the leaves), which is difficult to for other wildlife to penetrate."

Get involved
with the news

Send your news & photos