HAVE you ever seen a caterpillar’s web?

Swanage resident Gill Richards initially thought she had seen a plastic bag caught in a hawthorn bush when she came across the nest in Prince Albert Gardens.

However, on closer inspection, she realised the cocoon-like mass was covered in caterpillars.

The creatures, which feed on hawthorn, blackthorn and cherry trees, build webs around their favourite feeding plants as a way to protect themselves from predators.

Gill said she had “never seen anything like it”.

“I was out taking pictures like I do every day. I went up to Prince Albert Gardens, and I was looking at the flowers around there when I came across this nest.

“I didn’t realise what it was at first – I thought it was a plastic bag until I got up close and realised it was full of caterpillars.

“I posted the picture on Facebook and I got loads of comments from people – one person said the webs take over whole bushes sometimes and can decimate everything.”