White-marked Tussock Moth

Orgyia leucostigma

The White-marked Tussock Moth is a fuzzy caterpillar that turns into a beautiful moth. It has soft, white tufts on its body that make it look like it's wearing a fluffy coat!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The White-marked Tussock Moth is sexually dimorphic. Males have mottled grayish-brown wings marked with wavy dark lines and a distinct white spot on each forewing. Females are wingless, with a plump, grayish-tan body covered in short hairs, resembling a fuzzy blob.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyErebidaeGenusOrgyia

Photo: Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarrenCC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

White-marked Tussock Moth

Interesting facts

Male moths are super good at finding females from far away, just by smelling their perfume!

Mom moths lay their eggs right on top of their old cocoons, making a cozy nursery!

The female moth has no wings and can't fly, she just waits for a mate!

Their caterpillars have bright 'tussocks' of hair, making them look like tiny fuzzy artists' brushes!

Special abilities

White-marked Tussock Moth caterpillars have spiky, irritating hairs that can cause a rash, helping deter predators.

Female moths are completely wingless, remaining near their cocoons and attracting males with powerful pheromones.

Young caterpillars can create a silken safety line, allowing them to drop quickly from danger and climb back up.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 25-35 mm
Size: 15-35 mm
Lifespan: 5-15 days
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

As caterpillars, they munch on the leaves of many different trees and shrubs.

Age differences: Adult moths do not feed, focusing solely on reproduction; only the larvae (caterpillars) eat.

Primary Foods

Oak leaves
Maple leaves
Birch leaves
Apple leaves
Rose leaves

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

Eats

White Oak

Quercus alba

Caterpillars feed on their leaves, sometimes causing defoliation.

Eats

Sugar Maple

Acer saccharum

Larvae consume the foliage of maple trees.

Parasitizes

Parasitic Wasp

Trichogramma ostriniae

Tiny wasps lay eggs inside the moth's eggs, preventing hatching.

Eaten by

House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

Birds prey on the caterpillars and pupae.

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.

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.

Diurnal

Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.

Pollinator

Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Insects

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Don't touch the caterpillar, as its hairs can irritate your skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify White-marked 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 White-marked Tussock Moth's wingspan?

25-35 mm

How big is White-marked Tussock Moth?

15-35 mm

How long does White-marked Tussock Moth live?

5-15 days

What does White-marked Tussock Moth eat?

As caterpillars, they munch on the leaves of many different trees and shrubs.

Where is White-marked Tussock Moth usually found?

Forests

How does White-marked Tussock Moth hunt?

Foraging