Western tussock moth
Species of moth
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Orgyia vetusta, also known as the western tussock moth, formerly Hemerocampa vetusta, is a moth found in the Pacific States and British Columbia. The species is dimorphic; the females are flightless.
| Western tussock moth | |
|---|---|
| |
| Western Tussock Moth caterpillar on madrone or manzanita, San Mateo County, California, 2022 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Superfamily: | Noctuoidea |
| Family: | Erebidae |
| Genus: | Orgyia |
| Species: | O. vetusta |
| Binomial name | |
| Orgyia vetusta Boisduval, 1852 | |
The Western tussock moth is reported on virtually all California oak species as well as various fruit and nut trees, ceanothus, hawthorn, manzanita, pyracantha, toyon, walnut, and willow.[1] There is an isolated population in Boise County, Idaho.[citation needed] This species has also been seen in U.S. gulf coast states such as Louisiana.[citation needed].
Life history
Tussock moth eggs are white and are laid in a mass, which overwinters.[2] The female covers the eggs with setae.[3] The caterpillars emerge in early spring (February-May)[4][3] and exhibit minimal disperse via ballooning, a process by while caterpillars hang from silk threads and are spread by wind.[5] This is also observed in other species within the family Erebidae, such as Lymantria dispar dispar.[6] Larvae have hairs that may cause minor skin irritation or allergic reactions in humans.[7] Adults emerge from cocoons between June and August.[4]
Human Interactions
Pest Status
Tussock moth caterpillars can cause damage to citrus orchards in Southern California.[8]
Additional images
Male moth
Male moth
Tussock larva on coast live oak
