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Thousands of marauding caterpillars trap car in silky web
Daily Mail (U.K.) ^ | May 28, 2009

Posted on 06/04/2009 11:55:28 AM PDT by Schnucki

Most drivers would be delighted if their car came with a silk-lined interior.

Whether it's such an appealing prospect on the outside is another matter.

This is the sight that greeted one unlucky motorist when he returned to his vehicle in Rotterdam.

Under a giant silk cocoon created by an army of caterpillars, the shape of a Honda is just about visible.

The car was mistaken as food by spindle ermine larvae, which had already begun to strip a nearby tree of its leaves.

Spindle ermines weave silk webs to protect themselves from birds and wasps, allowing them to gorge on leaves for six weeks before transforming into butterflies.

Eight species live in Britain and their webs can be seen throughout the country.

Their favoured tree is the spindle - which is often used in car parks and for lining motorways.

Stuart Hine of the Natural History Museum said: 'It only takes a few days. But we aren't talking about anything from Indiana Jones here.

‘They can bear a bit of weight but the car owner will be able to back the car out and clean it.'

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: caterpillars; pests
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To: Schnucki

That’s awesome. Reminds me of a 70s made-for-tv horror movie; perhaps starring Joan Collins and David Soul.


21 posted on 06/04/2009 12:15:48 PM PDT by fleagle ( An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last. -Winston Churchill)
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To: Schnucki

“I’m sorry, Meinheer, but those are a protected species. You can hose your car off in...let’s see...October...”


22 posted on 06/04/2009 12:16:27 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: Schnucki
marauding caterpillars

I saw the title and thought this was a Rachael Corrie thread.

23 posted on 06/04/2009 12:16:47 PM PDT by SIDENET (Hubba Hubba...)
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To: GeronL

“Why is nothing else nearby covered? Thats very strange.”

Yeah, it is weird. I could understand the attraction if it were a VW bug, but a Honda?


24 posted on 06/04/2009 12:18:50 PM PDT by Rebelbase
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To: envisio
Weird.

We have a tent caterpillar problem. We use a torch to destroy the webs. We only destroy the ones close to our garden and orchard. We allow some to survive on the outskirts of our property for the Baltimore Orioles.

25 posted on 06/04/2009 12:18:54 PM PDT by Dustbunny ("Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them. " Ronald Reagan)
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To: Schnucki

This would be torture in Guantanamo.


26 posted on 06/04/2009 12:20:42 PM PDT by americanophile
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To: Schnucki

So Obuma was right...Caterpillar did rehire workers


27 posted on 06/04/2009 12:20:43 PM PDT by RckyRaCoCo (I hear the words of Jefferson louder and louder as each day passes)
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To: Dustbunny
"We allow some to survive on the outskirts of our property for the Baltimore Orioles."

The bird or the baseball team? :)
28 posted on 06/04/2009 12:26:14 PM PDT by FortWorthPatriot (Unions are great, providing you are too weak or too stupid to stay employed by your own merit.)
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To: SMM48

photoshop.


29 posted on 06/04/2009 12:26:46 PM PDT by Paladin2 (Big Ears + Big Spending --> BigEarMarx, the man behind TOTUS)
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To: Schnucki

this was part of a double-feature I saw at the drive-in, along with Texas Chainsaw Massacre


30 posted on 06/04/2009 12:31:45 PM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
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To: Buckeye McFrog

In a few more weeks, it will be a flying car !!!!


31 posted on 06/04/2009 12:36:21 PM PDT by ak267
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To: Buckeye McFrog
Giant Spider Invasion?


32 posted on 06/04/2009 12:37:03 PM PDT by humblegunner
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Comment #33 Removed by Moderator

To: Paladin2

I was thinking the same thing...photoshop.


34 posted on 06/04/2009 1:43:12 PM PDT by moonpie57 ("Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." MLK)
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To: Schnucki
It could have been worse...


35 posted on 06/04/2009 1:55:07 PM PDT by Fresh Wind (Hey, Obama! Where's my check?)
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To: Schnucki

I thought this was photoshopped, but now I’m not so sure. I googled Rotterdam caterpillar and there are stories showing lots more pictures. There is a car in one, but not quite as bad as this one.


36 posted on 06/04/2009 1:56:10 PM PDT by moonpie57 ("Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." MLK)
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To: Abathar

Probably, considering the gutless little 4 banger under the hood.


37 posted on 06/04/2009 2:44:54 PM PDT by Clay Moore (Obama: A good example of why stupid people shouldn't vote.)
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To: FortWorthPatriot

LOL... Birds


38 posted on 06/04/2009 3:03:20 PM PDT by Dustbunny ("Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them. " Ronald Reagan)
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