The Tussocks
What are they?
This family gets its name from the dense 'tussocks' of hairs that stand upright on the backs of many of the larvae. Tussocks are perhaps best-known for the voraciousness of some of the species, most notorious of which is probably the Gypsy Moth which was deliberately brought to the USA from Europe in a vain attempt to start a silk industry. The species has caused great devastation to vast areas of forest, though in many areas (such as Cape May) they currently seem to be existing in much smaller, manageable numbers.
Identification
Rather chunky-bodied, hairy species, the males and females are often quite different in either size or appearance - or even both. This is a relatively small family and most species are fairly readily identified on wing patterning.
08293 Sharp-lined Tussock Dasychira dorsipennata
Length: 20-25mm. Flight Time: June-August. Larval Food:
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08316 White-marked Tussock Orgyia leucostigma
Length: 13-18mm. Flight Time: June-November. Larval Food: A wide range of woody trees and shrubs.
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08318 Gypsy Moth Lymantria dispar
Length: 15-20mm. Flight Time: July-August. Larval Food: A wide range of woody trees and shrubs.
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