ExploreInsects

Fir Tussock Moth

Orgyia detrita

The Fir Tussock Moth is a fuzzy little insect that loves to munch on fir trees. Its soft, hairy body helps it blend in with its surroundings, making it hard to spot!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Fir Tussock Moth male is brownish-gray with distinctive feathery antennae and faint darker markings on its forewings. The female is strikingly different; she is wingless, plump, and has a pale grayish-yellow body covered in short hairs.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyErebidaeGenusOrgyia
Fir Tussock Moth
furry trait badgesolitary trait badgecamouflaged trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Fir Tussock Moth

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Caterpillars love to munch on needles from fir, spruce, and pine trees to grow!

Male moths fly, but female moths are wingless and stay near their cocoons!

Their cocoons are often camouflaged with the caterpillar's own spiky, irritating hairs.

Touching this caterpillar's fuzzy hairs can cause an itchy rash on your skin!

Special abilities

Ability

Stinging Touch

Fir Tussock Moth larvae have fuzzy hairs that can irritate skin, protecting them from hungry birds.

Ability

Super Sniffer

Fir Tussock Moth males have large feathery antennae that help them sniff out a female's scent from far away.

Ability

Hairy Hideaway

Fir Tussock Moth larvae spin cocoons blended with their own spiky hairs, helping them hide from predators.

Ability

Ground Dweller

The female Fir Tussock Moth has no wings, so she crawls to find a mate, laying eggs nearby.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
25-30 mm
Size
10-20 mm
Lifespan
7-10 days
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Young Fir Tussock Moths are herbivores, munching on tree needles to grow big and strong.

Age differences: Adult moths do not feed, focusing solely on reproduction. Larvae (caterpillars) are the primary feeders.

Primary Foods

  • Abies balsamea (Balsam Fir)
  • Picea glauca (White Spruce)
  • Pinus taeda (Loblolly Pine)
  • Tsuga canadensis (Eastern Hemlock)

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Don't touch moths or caterpillars without asking an adult, as some can be prickly or have chemicals that irritate the skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fir Tussock Moth's wingspan?

25-30 mm

How big is Fir Tussock Moth?

10-20 mm

How long does Fir Tussock Moth live?

7-10 days

What does Fir Tussock Moth eat?

Young Fir Tussock Moths are herbivores, munching on tree needles to grow big and strong.

Where is Fir Tussock Moth usually found?

Forests

How does Fir Tussock Moth hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Fir Tussock Moth have?

6

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

Where to spot

More Insects