Page 574 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Erebidae
DISTRIBUTION North America, Europe, and across northern Asia
HABITAT Woodlands, hedgerows, parks, and gardens
HOST PLANTS Various tree species, including oak (Quercus spp.),
willow (Salix spp.), and poplar (Populus spp.)
NOTE Bizarre-looking, tufty caterpillar with irritating hairs
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated

ADULT WINGSPAN

1–1⅜ in (25–35 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH

1⅜– 1 ⁄ in (35–40 mm)

ORGYIA ANTIQUA
RUSTY TUSSOCK MOTH
572
(LINNAEUS, 1758)

Unusually, the female Rusty Tussock Moth is ightless, so she
lays her large clutch of 200 to 300 eggs on her empty cocoon.
The eggs overwinter, and the caterpillars emerge in spring. The
caterpillars are active between May and September, feeding on
a variety of deciduous species. The hairy young larvae disperse
by ballooning on threads of silk. They pupate in crevices in
bark or on fences, spinning a black, hairy cocoon. The adult
moths eclose from July to October. There are usually one or two
generations, but in some places there are three a year.

The Rusty Tussock Moth, also named the Vapourer, has a wide
distribution across the northern hemisphere. The caterpillar
is considered a pest, as large aggregations on trees can lead to
defoliation and damage to parkland and orchard trees. If the
caterpillar is handled without gloves, its hairs, which detach
easily, can cause skin irritation.

Actual size

The Rusty Tussock Moth caterpillar is gray black
and covered in tufts of yellow-brown hairs, which
arise from rings of red tubercles. There are four
extra-long dorsal tufts of creamy-white to yellow
hairs, two long, black tufts either side of the head,
and a terminal tuft of long, black hairs. The legs
are red, while the prolegs are orange red.