Tussock-moth
Guides
Calidota
Calidota is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1901. The genus belongs to the arctiine tussock moth group within the subfamily Arctiinae. It currently includes eight recognized species distributed across the Neotropical region, with records from the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. The type species is Calidota phryganoides (Walker, 1855). Two species have been moved to other genera.
Carales
Carales is a genus of tussock moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. These moths are part of the diverse arctiine lineage, many of which possess chemical defenses and distinctive larval setae. The genus was established by Francis Walker in 1855. Species within Carales occur in the Neotropical region.
Dasychira atrivenosa
diminutive tussock moth
Dasychira atrivenosa, commonly known as the diminutive tussock moth, is a species of tussock moth in the family Erebidae. It is native to North America and was first described by Palm in 1873 under the basionym Parorgyia atrivenosa. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 8299. As a member of the subfamily Lymantriinae, it belongs to a group commonly known as tussock moths, though specific biological details for this species remain limited in published sources.
Dasychira basiflava
Yellow-based Tussock Moth, yellow-based tussock
Dasychira basiflava, commonly known as the Yellow-based Tussock Moth, is a species of tussock moth in the family Erebidae. First described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1864, this species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in size, with females substantially larger than males. It is widely distributed across eastern and central North America, with populations extending from southeastern Alaska to the southern United States. The species shows geographic variation in voltinism, with one generation per year in northern regions and partial second generations in the south.
Dasychira grisefacta
Grizzled Tussock Moth, Pine Tussock
Dasychira grisefacta is a tussock moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1911. Males have functional wings with a wingspan of approximately 42 mm, while females are wingless. The species is associated with coniferous forests and has a broad distribution across western North America. Larvae feed on several genera of conifers including Douglas-fir, hemlock, spruce, and pine.
Dasychira manto
Manto tussock moth
Dasychira manto, commonly known as the Manto tussock moth, is a species of tussock moth in the family Erebidae. First described by Herman Strecker in 1900, this moth is found in North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 8307. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate D. m. manto and D. m. interposita described by Dyar in 1911.
Dasychira mescalera
Dasychira mescalera is a species of tussock moth in the family Erebidae, described by Alexander Douglas Campbell Ferguson in 1977 (published 1978). It occurs in the southwestern United States, specifically in New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado. The species belongs to the genus Dasychira, a group of moths characterized by prominent tufted setae on their larvae.
Dasychira obliquata
Streaked Tussock Moth
Dasychira obliquata, the Streaked Tussock Moth, is a North American moth species in the family Erebidae. It belongs to the tussock moth group, characterized by distinctive hair tufts on caterpillars. The species was originally described as Parorgyia obliquata before being transferred to Dasychira. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light.
Dasychira pinicola
pine tussock moth, pine tussock
Dasychira pinicola, the pine tussock moth, is a North American species in the tussock moth subfamily Lymantriinae. First described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1911, it is associated with pine forests in the eastern and upper midwestern United States. The species is recognized as a defoliator of Pinus species, with larvae feeding on jack pine (Pinus banksiana) and potentially other conifers.
Dasychira vagans
Variable Tussock Moth
Dasychira vagans is a moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1913. The species exhibits notable sexual dimorphism in forewing length, with males measuring 14–18 mm and females 22–24 mm. Adults are active from June to August with a single generation per year. The larvae feed on a broad range of woody plants across multiple families, with a documented preference for Quercus (oak) species. Two subspecies are recognized: D. v. vagans in eastern North America and D. v. grisea ranging from southern Manitoba to the Pacific Northwest.
Euchaetes
tussock moths, milkweed tussock moths, milkweed tiger moths
Euchaetes is a genus of arctiine tussock moths in the family Erebidae, described by Thaddeus William Harris in 1841. The genus includes species commonly known as milkweed tussock moths or milkweed tiger moths, many of which are specialized feeders on milkweed plants (Asclepiadaceae). Caterpillars of well-known species such as E. egle sequester cardiac glycosides from their host plants, making them unpalatable to predators. Adults of some species have evolved ultrasonic acoustic defenses against bat predation, representing a notable example of acoustic aposematism.
Euchaetes antica
Euchaetes antica is a small moth in the family Erebidae, described by Francis Walker in 1856. It is distributed across the southwestern United States and Central America, ranging from Arizona and New Mexico south through Mexico to Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in forewing length, with males measuring 13–15 mm and females 16–20 mm. Larvae feed specifically on Asclepias subverticillata, a milkweed species.
Eupseudosoma
snowy eupseudosoma (E. involutum)
Eupseudosoma is a genus of tussock moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1865. The genus contains several species distributed across the Americas, with Eupseudosoma involutum (snowy eupseudosoma) being the most widespread and well-known. Some species are significant defoliators of Eucalyptus and other plants.
Halysidota
tussock moths
Halysidota is a genus of arctiine tussock moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Jacob Hübner in 1819. The genus contains approximately 40 described species distributed primarily in the Americas, with records from the United States through Central and South America to the Caribbean. Several species are well-known, including Halysidota tessellaris (pale tiger moth or banded tussock moth) and Halysidota harrisii (sycamore tussock moth). The genus has been subject to ongoing taxonomic revision, with new species and subspecies described as recently as 2017.
Halysidota cinctipes
Florida Tussock Moth, Gartered Halysidota
Halysidota cinctipes is a tussock moth in the family Erebidae, described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1865. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 42 mm. The species occurs across the Caribbean, southeastern and southwestern United States, and possibly extends through Central America to northern South America. Larvae feed on specific host plants including sea grape and hibiscus species.
Halysidota davisii
Davis' Tussock Moth
Halysidota davisii, commonly known as Davis' tussock moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. It was described by Henry Edwards in 1874 and is named in honor of Dr. Davis. The species has a restricted distribution in the southwestern United States. Adults are active during summer months, with larvae feeding on specific host plants.
Halysidota harrisii
Sycamore Tussock Moth, Sycamore Tiger Moth
Halysidota harrisii, commonly known as the sycamore tussock moth or sycamore tiger moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. It produces two generations annually and is closely associated with American sycamore trees. The species is notable for its distinctive hairy caterpillars with orange and white hair-pencils, and adults that are difficult to distinguish from the related Halysidota tessellaris.
Halysidota schausi
Schaus' tussock moth
Halysidota schausi is a tussock moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by Walter Rothschild in 1909. Adults are primarily active during autumn. The species has a broad Neotropical distribution extending from the southern United States through Central America and into northern South America, with additional insular populations in the Caribbean.
Halysidota tessellaris
Banded Tussock Moth, Pale Tiger Moth, Tessellated Halisidota
A tiger moth species in the family Erebidae, described by James Edward Smith in 1797. Adults acquire defensive alkaloids from host plants. Caterpillars are conspicuous, with distinctive tufted setae and extra-long hair-pencils at both ends. The species is univoltine in northern parts of its range and multivoltine in the south.
Lophocampa
Lophocampa is a genus of arctiine tussock moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Thaddeus William Harris in 1841. The genus contains approximately 75 species distributed primarily in North America. Larvae are commonly known as tussock moths and typically exhibit gregarious behavior, forming aggregated colonies on host trees. Several species are notable for their distinctive larval coloration with tufts of hair-like setae.
Lophocampa caryae
Hickory Tussock Moth, Hickory Halisidota, Hickory Tiger Moth
Lophocampa caryae is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, widely distributed across eastern North America. The species has one generation per year, with adults flying in May and June. The caterpillar is covered in dense white and black hair tufts and can cause contact dermatitis in humans through its barbed setae. Despite anecdotal claims of venomous properties, no venom has been isolated; adverse reactions are characterized as irritant contact dermatitis.
Lophocampa mixta
Speckled Tussock Moth
Lophocampa mixta is a tussock moth in the family Erebidae, described by Berthold Neumoegen in 1882. The species occurs in the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and Texas. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 37 mm. Larvae feed on Quercus emoryi (Emory oak).
Lophocampa pura
Lophocampa pura is a moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by Berthold Neumoegen in 1882. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, with documented records from Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and adjacent Mexican states. As a member of the genus Lophocampa, it belongs to a group commonly known as tussock moths, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited in published literature.
Lophocampa significans
Lophocampa significans is a moth species in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. It was described by Henry Edwards in 1888. The species is known from six U.S. states in the southwestern and central regions. Available information is limited to basic taxonomic and distributional data.
Lymantria dispar
spongy moth, gypsy moth
Lymantria dispar is a forest-defoliating moth native to Europe and Asia, now invasive across multiple continents including North America. The species is notable for pronounced sexual dimorphism in adults and variable flight capability among subspecies—females of the European subspecies (L. d. dispar) are flightless, while Asian subspecies possess flight-capable females. Larvae are polyphagous and have been documented feeding on over 500 plant species. The species ranks among the world's most destructive invasive forest pests, with documented outbreaks exceeding 2.5 million caterpillars per hectare.
Neoplynes
Neoplynes is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, erected by George Hampson in 1900. It belongs to the arctiine tussock moth group within the subfamily Arctiinae and tribe Lithosiini. The genus contains two described species: Neoplynes cytheraea and Neoplynes eudora, both originally described in 1894. It is classified within the superfamily Noctuoidea.
Opharus
Opharus is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. It was established by Francis Walker in 1855. The genus belongs to the arctiine tussock moth group. Multiple species have been described within this genus, though comprehensive species-level documentation remains incomplete.
Orgyia
tussock moths, vapourer moths
Orgyia is a genus of tussock moths in the family Erebidae, characterized by pronounced sexual dimorphism: males are fully winged and diurnal, while females are wingless with reduced, scale-like wings and remain flightless. The genus was established by Ochsenheimer in 1810 and contains cosmopolitan species distributed across most global regions except the Neotropics. Several species are significant forest and agricultural pests, notably Orgyia pseudotsugata (Douglas-fir Tussock Moth), which undergoes periodic outbreaks in western North America.
Orgyia definita
Definite Tussock Moth, Definite-marked Tussock Moth
Orgyia definita is a tussock moth in the family Erebidae, native to eastern North America. Males have functional wings with a wingspan of approximately 30 mm, while females are wingless—a distinctive trait shared with other Orgyia species. The larvae feed on a broad range of woody deciduous plants. The species was first described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1865.
Orgyia magna
Great Tussock Moth
Orgyia magna is a species of tussock moth in the family Erebidae, described by Ferguson in 1977. It is found in North America. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 8310. Like other members of the genus Orgyia, females are likely wingless, though this specific trait has not been explicitly documented for this species.
Orgyia pseudotsugata
Douglas-fir tussock moth
A western North American tussock moth known for periodic population outbreaks that cause significant defoliation of conifer forests. Males are winged and grayish-brown with feathery antennae, while females are flightless with rudimentary wings. Caterpillars are distinctive with red spots, white spines, and prominent red-tipped white tussocks. The species undergoes cyclical outbreaks every 8-12 years that can persist for up to four years.
Orgyia vetusta
Western Tussock Moth
Orgyia vetusta, the Western Tussock Moth, is a species of tussock moth in the family Erebidae. It is native to western North America, ranging from British Columbia through the Pacific States to New Mexico, with an isolated population in Idaho. The species is known to undergo periodic outbreaks, and females are wingless while males possess functional wings. Larvae are notable for their distinctive hair tufts and tussocks.
Pareuchaetes
Pareuchaetes is a genus of arctiine tussock moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1866. The genus contains six described species distributed from the southern United States to northern Argentina. Several species have been employed as biological control agents against the invasive weed Chromolaena odorata in Africa and Asia, with varying degrees of establishment success. The genus is notable for its specialist association with Chromolaena host plants and its use in classical biological control programs.
Pygoctenucha
Pygoctenucha is a genus of arctiine tussock moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1883. The genus contains five described species distributed in North and Central America. Members are classified within the tribe Lithosiini, a group of lichen moths characterized by their relatively slender bodies and often subdued coloration. The genus has been documented through limited observations, with most records concentrated in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Trocodima
Trocodima is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, established by Watson in 1980. The genus belongs to the arctiine tussock moth group and contains three described species: T. fuscipes, T. hemiceras, and T. lenistriata. These species were originally described between 1883 and 1931. The genus is relatively small and understudied, with limited published information on its biology.