Page 568 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Erebidae
DISTRIBUTION Eastern North America
HABITAT Forests and parks
HOST PLANTS Various, in particular hickory (Carya spp.) and walnut
(Juglans spp.)
NOTE Caterpillar that is protected by a covering of irritating hairs
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but common within its range

ADULT WINGSPAN
1 ⁄ –2⅛ in (37–55 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1 ⁄ –1¾ in (40–45 mm)
LOPHOCAMPA CARYAE
HICKORY TUSSOCK MOTH
566
HARRIS, 1841

Hickory Tussock Moth caterpillars hatch from eggs laid in
clusters on leaves of the food plant. The young larvae are
gregarious, staying together in large groups, skeletonizing
leaves, although as they get older they disperse and lead solitary
lives. The caterpillars crawl to the ground to pupate in late
summer and fall, spinning a loose cocoon in the leaf litter, where
they overwinter. The adult moths are on the wing during early
summer, with a single generation a year.

Unlike the hairs of some of its relatives, the hairs of this
The Hickory Tussock Moth caterpillar is covered caterpillar—particularly the longer black lashes—contain an
in tufts of long, white hairs, with a row of black irritant to deter predators. Even the cocoon is protected, as the
tufts along the dorsal line. There are four long,
black pencils of hair, two near the head and two caterpillar incorporates its hairs as it spins the silk. Most people
at the posterior. The head is black, and there are
lateral lines of black spots. get an itchy skin rash if they handle the caterpillars without
gloves. The microscopic barbs of the hairs attach to the skin of

ngers and can also be rubbed accidentally into the eye.

Actual size