Genus Orgyia

Classification · Other Common Names · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Tussock Moth Caterpillars - Orgyia detrita - Orgyia detrita

White jagged chrysalis is held in a silky nest with thin brown spikes. - Orgyia leucostigma

Orgyia leucostigma - White-marked Tussock Moth - Orgyia leucostigma

Definite Tussock Moth larva - Orgyia definita

Show images of: caterpillars · adults · both

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

No Taxon (Moths)

Superfamily Noctuoidea

Family Lymantriidae (Tussock Moths)

Tribe Orgyiini

Genus Orgyia

Other Common Names

Vaporer, Vaporer Moth, Vapourer Moth

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Orgyia Ochsenheimer 1810. (Author is Ferdinand Ochsenheimer 1767-1822. His main career was as an actor and playwright!)

Explanation of Names

From Greek orgyia (οργυια, from ορεγειν stretch out) meaning "the length of the outstretched arms", a fathom (1) (2). Likely refers to the arm-like appendages of the caterpillar.

Another name used for the adult moths is "vaporers" or "vaporer moths" for the "vaporing" flight pattern (2).

Numbers

Nearctica.com and All-Leps list 10 species for North America.

Print References

Borror, entry for orgyi, =a (1)

The Century Dictionary, entry for Orgyia (2)

Internet References

Tussock Moth Caterpillars in Florida

Works Cited

1.	Dictionary of Word Roots and Combining Forms By Donald J. Borror

2.	The Century Dictionary: an encyclopedic lexicon of the English language

Contributed by Troy Bartlett on 16 February, 2004 - 12:32pm
Additional contributions by cotinis
Last updated 10 May, 2009 - 12:49pm

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