Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth
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Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth
orgyia pseudotsugata
The Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth is a fuzzy little caterpillar that loves to munch on Douglas-fir trees! Its unique tufts of hair make it look like it's wearing a fluffy coat.
Habitat: Douglas-fir forests in North America
Appearance
The Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth male is brownish-gray with wavy dark bands on its forewings and feathery antennae. Females are flightless, plump, and grayish-brown with tiny, vestigial wings. Caterpillars are covered in bristly hairs with distinctive red spots and hair tufts.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyErebidaeGenusOrgyia
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Female moths have no wings, waiting patiently for males to find them!
Males find females by sniffing special chemical perfumes (pheromones) from far away!
Tiny caterpillar hairs can float in air, causing itchy rashes or eye irritation!
When populations boom, caterpillars can completely strip a forest of its needles!
Special abilities
Ability
Irritating Hairs
Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth larvae have barbed hairs that cause rashes, helping them deter predators effectively.
Ability
Flightless Female
Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth has flightless females that release powerful pheromones to attract males from afar for mating.
Ability
Silk Architect
Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth caterpillars can spin silk to safely drop from branches or create cozy cocoons for pupation.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 20-30 mm
- Size
- 10-15 mm
- Lifespan
- 7-14 days
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Caterpillars munch on conifer needles, but the adult moths surprisingly don't eat anything at all!
Age differences: Only the caterpillar stage feeds on conifer needles; adult moths do not eat.
Primary Foods
- Douglas-fir needles
- Grand fir needles
- White fir needles
- Spruce needles
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
Douglas-fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Caterpillars feed on its needles, sometimes causing severe defoliation.
eats
Grand Fir
Abies grandis
Caterpillars consume its needles, potentially harming tree health and growth.
eaten by
Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
These birds prey on caterpillars and pupae, helping control populations.
parasitizes
Minute Egg Parasite Wasp
Trichogramma minutum
Tiny wasps lay eggs inside moth eggs, controlling populations.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Also known as
Douglas-Fir MothFuzzy Caterpillar
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Avoid touching the caterpillars as their hairs can cause irritation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth's wingspan?
20-30 mm
How big is Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth?
10-15 mm
How long does Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth live?
7-14 days
What does Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth eat?
Caterpillars munch on conifer needles, but the adult moths surprisingly don't eat anything at all!
Where is Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth usually found?
Douglas-fir forests in North America
How does Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth have?
6
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