Web-forming caterpillars

Caterpillars of some moths feed gregariously, for at least part of their lives, in communal silken webs or ‘tents’ which they spin on their food plants. Some species which have this habit and are economically important in Britain are described here. These species are the small ermine moths (Yponomeutaspp.), the lackey moth (Malacosoma neustria (L.)) and the brown-tail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea (L.)). The vapourer moth (Orgyia antiqua (L.)), whose caterpillars occur together in large numbers though not feeding within webs, is also included.