Huge ermine caterpillar webs cover hedges in Shobdon

But despite how it might look, spiders are not responsible for the Halloween look in June.

Instead, it is believed ermine moth caterpillars are responsible.

The stunning sight of a web-covered hedge between Shobdon and Presteigne on the B4362, with ermine moth caterpillars believed to be responsible (Image: Barbara Roberts/Hereford Times Camera Club)

Hereford Times Camera Club member Barbara Roberts spotted the sight on the B4362 which crosses the Herefordshire-Powys border between Shobdon and Presteigne.

Butterfly Conservation said the webs are often seen around May, as hundreds or even thousands of caterpillars seek to protect themselves from predators as their strategy of safety in numbers also makes them vulnerable as its is harder to hide in large numbers.

The caterpillars and webs are harmless and usually only last from May to June, while the shrubs and trees are often stripped of leaves beneath the webs, but generally recover.

Adult ermine moths appear later in the summer. The various types of ermine moths are all white or grey with lots of small black dots, resembling ermine.

Eggs are laid soon after adults emerge, with larvae hatching from late August and overwintering before feeding again in spring.