What's wrong with these whinberry/bilberry bushes.

[BarbaraEmma]

Our local whinberry bushes are in an awful state,lots of them are covered in what looks like huge cobwebs.Most of them that are effected seem to be nearly dead.What is causing this ? It's absolutely horrible to see,is there anything that can be done about it ?



Thank you for your help, Barbara.

[Wild-Woman]

I'm guessing that this is the work of the caterpillar of the Ermine Moth.

[Dorts]

There are several species of moth whose caterpillars feed on Bilberry, wouldn't like to guess which it may be.
Wild-woman could well be right.
Dorts.

[BarbaraEmma]

Thank you both so much for replying, I must say when I first saw this I was horrified.I guessed it was some sort of infestation( I didn't look too close in case it was spiders) but since your suggestions I've read a little about it and it seems it's only a temporary thing .I hope it is ,I can see these bushes from my front window and it would be an awful loss to the area if they died,they cover quite a big part of the mountainside.
Barbara

[Fauna]

Hi Barbara....PM sent.