SEE IT: Tiny bugs making giant webs in Ohio

(WJW) – Have you spotted them yet?

It’s this time of year, Ohio wildlife experts often field questions — and maybe some concerns — about what’s spinning giant webs appearing in trees.

No, these don’t belong to any giant spiders. ( Thankfully !) Instead, the large webs are the work of tiny caterpillars known as fall webworms . Maybe even the work of a couple of generations of fall webworms.

According to a Moths of Ohio Field Guide , in August and September, these caterpillars are busy constructing the communal webs, often found at the end of tree branches, as protection from predators and parasites while they feast.

The nests can span two to three feet — or even bigger. Certainly eye-catching !

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources , fall webworms feed on more than 400 species of trees and shrubs, but typically don’t hurt the overall health of the tree.

Here’s what the tiny caterpillars look like:

While in their caterpillar stage, fall web worms can be up to an inch and a half in length and are generally pale yellow to gray in color with small dark spots and light-colored hairs. As adult moths, they are generally white with a wingspan of about an inch and a half, describe experts.

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