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Hickory Tussock Moth or Hickory Tiger Moth
Lophocampa caryae
16.713, -92.6125
Field Notes
Description:
Brown and white spotted moth, 1.5 cm long, like a stained glass work or art.
In spite of the name Tussock Moth, it is not of the Family Lymantriidae. This one is a Tiger Moth of the Family Arctiidae (or Erebidae: Arctiinae). The 2nd and 3rd pictures were taken on July 25th 2013 and the 4th & 5th pictures were taken on May 8th 2013 (all in the same place). The last picture was taken on 1 September 2013, the moth came to an ultraviolet light in the garden (same place as the others). It has also appeared as early as March.
Habitat:
Came to the lights in the window.
Notes:
The spot pattern can vary somewhat in each individual. The larvae are white, hairy, with black splotches and tufts. They can be very urticating. The larvae feed on hickories, but they also like maples, oaks, ashes, elms, and other deciduous species.
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