Western Tussock Moth (Orgyia vetusta)

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Photo by laurena

Published on Project Noah

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32.7719, -117.188

Field Notes

Description:

The caterpillar is about 3cm in length and is black, yellow, and red in color. It has four big yellow spots on its back and smaller red dots of color on each side down its dorsal side. The caterpillar has yellowish colored fuzzy hair on its back and two antennae.

Habitat:

The caterpillar was found on campus at the University of San Diego near the entrance of Tecolote Canyon. It was crawling along the ground of a green grassy area with trees and shrubs. There were various leaf shaded areas surrounding the caterpillar.

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