# 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! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 17 - **Habitat:** Forests ![White-marked Tussock Moth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/-_8316_%E2%80%93_Orgyia_leucostigma_%E2%80%93_White-marked_Tussock_Moth_%2815406311122%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:-_8316_%E2%80%93_Orgyia_leucostigma_%E2%80%93_White-marked_Tussock_Moth_%2815406311122%29.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Erebidae - **Genus:** Orgyia ## 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 - **Sting Defense:** White-marked Tussock Moth caterpillars have spiky, irritating hairs that can cause a rash, helping deter predators. - **Wingless Wonder:** Female moths are completely wingless, remaining near their cocoons and attracting males with powerful pheromones. - **Silk Scaffold:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Caterpillars feed on their leaves, sometimes causing defoliation. - **Eats:** [Sugar Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-sparrow) (*Passer domesticus*) — Birds prey on the caterpillars and pupae. ## 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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [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:** 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 ### How many legs does White-marked Tussock Moth have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Anderson Japanese Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/anderson-japanese-gardens) — Illinois, US · Botanical Garden - [Camp Misty Mount Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/camp-misty-mount-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District - [Durso Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/durso-park) — Illinois, US · Park - [Georgia Institute of Technology Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/georgia-institute-of-technology-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Greenfield Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/greenfield-park) — Wisconsin, US · Park - [Hedgesville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hedgesville-historic-district) — West Virginia, US · Historic District [View all places to see White-marked Tussock Moth](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/white-marked-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: [White-marked Tussock Moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-marked-tussock-moth)