# Hickory Tussock Moth (*Lophocampa caryae*) The Hickory Tussock Moth is a fuzzy, white moth with black spots. Its caterpillars are bright and hairy, making them look like little creatures from a fairy tale! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 61 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Hickory Moth ![Hickory Tussock Moth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Lophocampa_caryae.jpg&width=800) Photo: Mike Boone, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lophocampa_caryae.jpg) ## Appearance The Hickory Tussock Moth is typically pale yellow to tan with irregular brownish bands and spots on its wings. Its striking caterpillar is fuzzy white with dense black tufts on its back and long black hairs at both ends, making it visually distinct from other caterpillars. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Erebidae - **Genus:** Lophocampa ## Interesting facts - Adult Hickory Tussock Moths do not eat, living only to lay eggs. - Caterpillars have six pairs of orange tufts on their backs, like tiny fuzzy pom-poms! - Caterpillars use spiky hairs to decorate cocoons for extra defense! - If disturbed, the caterpillar curls into a ball, exposing stinging hairs to scare foes. ## Special abilities - **Irritating Hairs:** Hickory Tussock Moth caterpillars can cause skin rashes because their fuzzy hairs contain irritating toxins that help deter predators. - **Warning Colors:** The larva's contrasting white, black, and orange tufts act as a warning signal that helps predators recognize its toxicity. - **Silk Spinner:** Hickory Tussock Moth larvae spin a strong silk cocoon because they produce durable silk threads that protect them during pupation. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 40-50 mm - **Size:** 15-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 5-10 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Young Hickory Tussock Moths munch on tree leaves to grow big and strong, but adults don't eat! - **Age differences:** Caterpillars are voracious herbivores, while adult moths do not feed, relying on stored energy. - **Primary Foods:** Carya ovata, Juglans nigra, Quercus alba, Ulmus americana - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Shagbark Hickory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shagbark-hickory) (*Carya ovata*) — Caterpillars feed on the leaves of this tree. - **Eats:** [Black Walnut](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-walnut) (*Juglans nigra*) — A common host plant for the caterpillar larvae. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Birds sometimes prey on these moths or their larvae. - **Parasitizes:** Hickory Tussock Moth Parasitic Wasp (*Cotesia caryae*) — This tiny wasp lays its eggs inside the moth's caterpillar. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Don't touch the caterpillars, as their hairs can cause skin irritation. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Hickory Tussock Moth? Compare resting wing shape, forewing markings, antennae and body build. Small brown moths can hinge on fine details a phone photo can't always catch. Moth Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Hickory Tussock Moth's wingspan? 40-50 mm ### How big is Hickory Tussock Moth? 15-25 mm ### How long does Hickory Tussock Moth live? 5-10 days ### What does Hickory Tussock Moth eat? Young Hickory Tussock Moths munch on tree leaves to grow big and strong, but adults don't eat! ### Where is Hickory Tussock Moth usually found? Forests ### How does Hickory Tussock Moth hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Hickory Tussock Moth have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Catskill Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/catskill-park) — New York, US · Nature Reserve - [Chelsea Parade Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chelsea-parade-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Chesham](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chesham) — New Hampshire, US · Historic District - [Chesterfield Gorge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chesterfield-gorge) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Chestnut Ridge Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chestnut-ridge-park) — New York, US · Park - [Dayville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dayville-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District [View all places to see Hickory Tussock Moth](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/hickory-tussock-moth) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Hickory Tussock Moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hickory-tussock-moth)