The Tussocks

Sharp-lined Tussock White-marked Tussock White-marked Tussock

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:
Sharp-lined Tussock Sharp-lined Tussock Sharp-lined Tussock

08316    White-marked Tussock      Orgyia leucostigma

Length: 13-18mm.       Flight Time: June-November.       Larval Food: A wide range of woody trees and shrubs.
White-marked Tussock White-marked Tussock White-marked Tussock
Larva

08318    Gypsy Moth      Lymantria dispar

Length: 15-20mm.       Flight Time: July-August.       Larval Food: A wide range of woody trees and shrubs.
Gypsy Moth Gypsy Moth Gypsy Moth
Male
Male
Larva