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Milkweed Tussock Moth

Euchaetes egle

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45.8199, -92.7046

Field Notes

Description:

The caterpillars are about 1.5 in. in length and typically colored as shown in the photo. Some individuals will be more yellow.

Habitat:

Caterpillars feed on milkweeds and dogbane found in grasslands and on forested edges.

Notes:

The caterpillar feeds on milkweeds and derive protection from predators by acquiring the host plant's cardiac glycocides. The adult moth's chemical defenses, however, may not deter predation by bats. A Wake Forest study found that the adult moth may imitate sounds made by moths that bats find distasteful, thus deterring predation from that quarter.

Reference Links:

Euchaetes egle, Species Euchaetes egle - Milkweed Tussock Moth - Hodges#8238 - BugGuide.Net

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)
AnnvanWijgerden
Gordon, if you have time, could you check the IDs of these 3 moths? Are they Tussock moths? Thanks! http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/7045055 http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/6994685 http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/6940446

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Photographed
PublishedAugust 24, 2011

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