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Western Tent Caterpillar Moth

Malacosoma californica

The Western Tent Caterpillar Moth is a fluffy, colorful moth that comes out in spring. It starts as a caterpillar that lives in tents made of silk in trees. These moths are fun to watch as they flutter around!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Western Tent Caterpillar Moth has a furry, pale brownish-yellow body and forewings mottled with shades of tan and brown. Distinctive zigzag or diagonal cream-colored bands cross each forewing, often outlined in darker brown, differentiating it from similar moths.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyLasiocampidaeGenusMalacosoma
Western Tent Caterpillar Moth
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Western Tent Caterpillar Moth

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Adult moths have no mouthparts and cannot eat, living only to mate and lay eggs!

Female moths use special scents called pheromones to attract males from far away at night.

If you touch a caterpillar, it might twitch and regurgitate a bad-tasting liquid to scare you off!

Its caterpillars are so hungry they can completely strip a tree of its leaves!

Special abilities

Ability

Master of Disguise

Western Tent Caterpillar Moths have mottled brown wings that help them blend seamlessly into tree bark, avoiding predators.

Ability

Silk Architects

This species' larvae can build large silk tents that shelter them from weather and predators, keeping them safe.

Ability

Protective Foam Home

Female moths lay eggs covered in a hardened foam that protects the future caterpillars from cold and hungry creatures.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
25-45 mm
Size
15-20 mm
Lifespan
5-10 days
Flight Speed
8 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Its caterpillars munch on tree leaves, while the adult moths do not eat at all!

Age differences: Larvae are voracious leaf-eaters, but adult moths do not feed, relying on energy reserves from their caterpillar stage.

Primary Foods

  • Oak leaves
  • Willow leaves
  • Maple leaves
  • Aspen leaves
  • Apple leaves
  • Cherry leaves

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana

Larvae consume leaves from this shrub.

eats

Scouler's Willow

Salix scouleriana

Caterpillars feed on the foliage.

eaten by

Steller's Jay

Cyanocitta stelleri

Birds like jays prey on both stages.

eaten by

Little Brown Bat

Myotis lucifugus

Bats hunt adult moths.

parasitizes

Tachinid Fly

Compsilura concinnata

Parasitic flies lay eggs on caterpillars.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

It's best to watch these moths from a distance and not touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Western Tent Caterpillar Moth's wingspan?

25-45 mm

How big is Western Tent Caterpillar Moth?

15-20 mm

How long does Western Tent Caterpillar Moth live?

5-10 days

How fast can Western Tent Caterpillar Moth fly?

8 km/h

What does Western Tent Caterpillar Moth eat?

Its caterpillars munch on tree leaves, while the adult moths do not eat at all!

Where is Western Tent Caterpillar Moth usually found?

Forests

How does Western Tent Caterpillar Moth hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Western Tent Caterpillar Moth have?

6

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Where to spot

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