Strumpshaw walk part 2: curious caterpillars

On our Norfolk walk on Saturday I was pleased to see that a new hedge had been planted along a footpath through a field.


Attached to a slightly more established - but still young - hedge I came across what looked at first like cobwebs,


but which were actually cocoons concealing caterpillars.


These appear to be ermine moth caterpillars.


Sometimes you see great sections of hedge covered with this stuff, looking like someone has gone mad with a cobweb spray from a special effects department.