It is a sight that could send any arachnophobe into a cold sweat.

But this magnificent web is actually work of thousands of tiny caterpillars rather the first sign of a spider uprising.

The ermine moth larvae, typically less than an inch long, have taken over bushes on a roundabout near Therapia Lane tram stop in Croydon.

Their spectacular silken blanket was spotted by Jaco Zietsman, who works nearby. 

He said: "It's been there for just over a week. Spiders moved in and are taking advantage of the webs."

The caterpillars weave the webs to protect themselves - and their food source, the plants - as they prepare for their metamorphosis into moths.

National Trust ecologist Matthew Oates said: "They have a fantastic time, infesting areas, stripping whole bushes and fully expressing themselves as gregarious caterpillars."