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Tussock Moth
(John Obermeyer, Purdue University)

Common Name: Tussock Moth

Order: Lepidoptera

Family: Lymantriidae

Pest Status: Tussock moths can damage forest and shade trees by feeding on leaves.

Appearance: Adult appearance varies widely by species. Usually they are 1/2 to 4/5-inch long and are much less conspicuous than are the ornate and colorfully bristled caterpillars. In some species females are wingless, but males have white, gray or brown forewings mottled with wavy black or brown marks and gray hindwings.

Life Cycle: The female lays her eggs in a mass. The eggs hatch in early spring and the larvae feed and grow for four to six weeks. The pupal stage lasts for about two weeks. The adults emerge and mate in late spring.

Where to Collect: Tussock moths are commonly found in forested areas.