Spotted tussock moth, yellow-spotted tiger moth • Lophocampa maculata
Identification
The spotted tussock moth's caterpillar stage, commonly called the yellow wooly bear, is hairy with a yellow middle, and black with long white hair tufts at either end. Black spots usually run down the centre of the yellow middle section, however these spots may be orange instead (as seen on the specimen pictured above). The caterpillar gets to 4 cm long.
The moth's forewings are yellowish-brown with lighter yellow spots, and pale yellow hind wings. The wingspan is 3.5-4.5 cm.
Habitat & Range
This species is found in forested areas containing deciduous trees, upon which the caterpillar feeds. The moth can be seen from from May to July, and the caterpillar from July to September. Its recorded range extends across southern Canada and south into California and the mountains of North Carolina and Kentucky.
Intriguing Info
Care should be taken when handling the caterpillar because its hairs can irritate skin.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/67691-Lophocampa-maculata
The spotted tussock moth's caterpillar stage, commonly called the yellow wooly bear, is hairy with a yellow middle, and black with long white hair tufts at either end. Black spots usually run down the centre of the yellow middle section, however these spots may be orange instead (as seen on the specimen pictured above). The caterpillar gets to 4 cm long.
The moth's forewings are yellowish-brown with lighter yellow spots, and pale yellow hind wings. The wingspan is 3.5-4.5 cm.
Habitat & Range
This species is found in forested areas containing deciduous trees, upon which the caterpillar feeds. The moth can be seen from from May to July, and the caterpillar from July to September. Its recorded range extends across southern Canada and south into California and the mountains of North Carolina and Kentucky.
Intriguing Info
Care should be taken when handling the caterpillar because its hairs can irritate skin.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/67691-Lophocampa-maculata
References
Royal Alberta Museum. (2006). Spotted Tussock Moth (Lophocampa maculata). Invertebrate Zoology: Bug Facts. Accessed 31/08/2017.
Species Lophocampa maculata - Spotted Tussock Moth - Hodges#8214. BugGuide. Iowa State University Department of Entomology. Accessed 31/08/2017.
Authors and editors
Kelly Fretwell (2017).
Royal Alberta Museum. (2006). Spotted Tussock Moth (Lophocampa maculata). Invertebrate Zoology: Bug Facts. Accessed 31/08/2017.
Species Lophocampa maculata - Spotted Tussock Moth - Hodges#8214. BugGuide. Iowa State University Department of Entomology. Accessed 31/08/2017.
Authors and editors
Kelly Fretwell (2017).