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Fir Tussock Moth
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
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
9
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
depends on
Balsam Fir
Abies balsamea
Caterpillars feed on its needles, sometimes causing significant defoliation.
depends on
White Spruce
Picea glauca
A primary food source for the caterpillar stage of the moth.
eaten by
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
Birds, including jays, are known predators of the larvae and pupae.
parasitizes
Chalcid Wasp
Brachymeria intermedia
This wasp lays eggs inside tussock moth pupae, killing the host.
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.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
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.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
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
How to identify Fir Tussock Moth?
The easiest way to identify Fir Tussock Moth is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
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
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