ExploreInsects

Milkweed Tussock Moth

Euchaetes egle

The Milkweed Tussock Moth is a fuzzy caterpillar that loves to munch on milkweed plants. It turns into a beautiful moth with orange and black colors, making it easy to spot in gardens and fields.

Habitat: Fields and gardens

Appearance

The Milkweed Tussock Moth has creamy white forewings and a vibrant orange-yellow body with small black spots on its thorax. Its striking caterpillar is covered in dense tufts of black, white, and orange hair, with a bright orange head and matching legs. This unique color combination makes it easily distinguishable.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyErebidaeGenusEuchaetes
Milkweed Tussock Moth
furry trait badgesolitary trait badgecolorful trait badgegrassland trait badge
Milkweed Tussock Moth

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Adult moths live only about a week, focusing entirely on laying eggs.

Birds quickly learn to avoid these colorful caterpillars because they taste absolutely awful!

These caterpillars are super picky, eating only milkweed leaves for all their meals!

Young Milkweed Tussock Moth caterpillars march together in huge, fuzzy groups!

Special abilities

Ability

Toxic Shield

Milkweed Tussock Moths can absorb toxins from milkweed plants, making them unappetizing or harmful to predators that try to eat them.

Ability

Warning Wardrobe

The moth's bright orange body and the caterpillar's flashy colors actively warn predators to stay away.

Ability

Bristly Bodyguard

Milkweed Tussock Moth caterpillars possess stiff, dense hairs that provide physical defense against attackers.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
35-45 mm
Size
15-20 mm
Lifespan
5-10 days
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

As caterpillars, they eat milkweed leaves, which makes them taste yucky to predators.

Age differences: Adult moths rarely feed, focusing on reproduction; only the caterpillar stage eats host plants.

Primary Foods

  • Asclepias syriaca
  • Asclepias tuberosa
  • Asclepias incarnata

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

Milkweed MothTussock Moth

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Don't touch the caterpillars, as their hairs can irritate your skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Milkweed Tussock Moth's wingspan?

35-45 mm

How big is Milkweed Tussock Moth?

15-20 mm

How long does Milkweed Tussock Moth live?

5-10 days

What does Milkweed Tussock Moth eat?

As caterpillars, they eat milkweed leaves, which makes them taste yucky to predators.

Where is Milkweed Tussock Moth usually found?

Fields and gardens

How does Milkweed Tussock Moth hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Milkweed 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