# Pale Tussock Moth (*Calliteara pudibunda*)

The Pale Tussock Moth is a fluffy, light-colored moth that looks like it has soft fur! It has big, fuzzy tufts on its body that help it blend in with its surroundings.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Forests

![Pale Tussock Moth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/2018-09-30_Meriansborstel_3.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Andrawaag, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2018-09-30_Meriansborstel_3.jpg)

## Appearance

The Pale Tussock Moth has a strikingly fuzzy, pale body, often greyish-yellow to greenish. Its forewings are typically light grey with subtle wavy lines, while the hindwings are plain and paler. The caterpillar is even more distinctive, covered in dense, colourful 'tussocks' of hair.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Lepidoptera
- **Family:** Erebidae
- **Genus:** Calliteara

## Interesting facts

- Adult Pale Tussock Moths have no mouths or stomachs, so they don't eat!
- If disturbed, the caterpillar can suddenly coil up, startling potential attackers!
- Its caterpillar looks like a fluffy pipe cleaner, often called a 'Woolly Bear'!
- The caterpillar sheds its skin five times, revealing new colours each time!

## Special abilities

- **Irritating Hairs:** Pale Tussock Moth larvae have urticating hairs that can cause itching, helping them deter curious predators.
- **Master of Disguise:** Pale Tussock Moth adults have patterned wings that help them blend perfectly with tree bark to avoid predators.
- **Warning Colours:** Pale Tussock Moth caterpillars often display bright colours and bristles, warning birds that they taste bad.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 40-70 mm
- **Size:** 20-30 mm
- **Lifespan:** 7-14 days
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

Caterpillars munch on leaves, but grown-up moths don't eat at all!

- **Age differences:** Adult moths do not feed, relying on energy reserves built up during their caterpillar stage.
- **Primary Foods:** Oak leaves, Beech leaves, Birch leaves, Willow leaves, Hazel leaves
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** Pedunculate Oak (*Quercus robur*) — eats oak leaves
- **Eats:** [European Beech](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-beech) (*Fagus sylvatica*) — eats beech leaves
- **Eaten by:** Blue Tit (*Cyanistes caeruleus*) — eats larvae and pupae
- **Eaten by:** Common Pipistrelle (*Pipistrellus pipistrellus*) — eats adult moths

## Traits

- [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [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.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch moths, as some can be delicate.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Pale 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 Pale Tussock Moth's wingspan?

40-70 mm

### How big is Pale Tussock Moth?

20-30 mm

### How long does Pale Tussock Moth live?

7-14 days

### What does Pale Tussock Moth eat?

Caterpillars munch on leaves, but grown-up moths don't eat at all!

### Where is Pale Tussock Moth usually found?

Forests

### How does Pale Tussock Moth hunt?

Foraging

### How many legs does Pale Tussock Moth have?

6

## 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*)

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Source: [Pale Tussock Moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pale-tussock-moth)