Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
 

Register · Log In
HomeGuideID RequestRecentFrassForumsDonateHelp
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar
Upcoming Events

National Moth Week photos of insects and people. Here's how to add your images.

Photos of insects and people from the 2019 BugGuide Gathering in Louisiana, July 25-27

Discussion, insects and people from the 2018 gathering in Virginia, July 27-29

Photos of insects and people from the 2015 gathering in Wisconsin, July 10-12

Photos of insects and people from the 2014 gathering in Virginia, June 4-7.

Photos of insects and people from the 2013 gathering in Arizona, July 25-28

Photos of insects and people from the 2012 gathering in Alabama

Photos of insects and people from the 2011 gathering in Iowa
TaxonomyBrowseInfoImagesLinksBooksData
Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Owlet Moths and kin (Noctuoidea) » Erebidae » Tussock Moths (Lymantriinae) » Orgyiini » Orgyia » Fir Tussock Moth - Hodges#8313 (Orgyia detrita)
Photo#47390
Rusty Tussock Moth? - Orgyia detrita
Copyright © 2006 Sharon

Rusty Tussock Moth? - Orgyia detrita
Tavares, Lake County, Florida, USA
April 10, 2006
Another from the boardwalk.
Rusty Tussock?
tag · login or register to post comments
Contributed by Sharon on 10 April, 2006 - 5:52pm
Last updated 11 April, 2006 - 5:24pm

We're thinking
Orgyia detrita - Whitemarked Tussock Moth, described with O. leucostigma in Wagner page 450. See
… john and jane balaban, 10 April, 2006 - 9:35pm login or register to post comments

 
Poisonous
Is this caterpillar poisonous ?
… F, 16 April, 2007 - 9:07am login or register to post comments

 
Not sure
One reference cited in Chris Wirth's article on this site (see article) claims that three spp. of tussock moth have stinging hairs, but doesn't say which ones (except that Orgyia leucostigma is one of them). Regardless, people with sensitive skin might find contact with any hairy caterpillar somewhat irritating so the best advice is not to handle them.
… Hannah Nendick-Mason, 16 April, 2007 - 9:20am login or register to post comments

 
whitemarked tussock moth
Yes, that does look more like it.
I think we have an exact match!
Thanks!
… Sharon, 11 April, 2006 - 8:11am login or register to post comments

 
Fir Tussock Moth or Live Oak Tussock Moth
are the common names most often used, I believe - White-marked Tussock Moth refers to O. leucostigma (a literal translation of the species name).
… Hannah Nendick-Mason, 3 May, 2006 - 2:41am login or register to post comments

Warning!
I read your bio, Sharon. Be on guard. Shooting flower blooms is how I got hooked on insect photography.
… Jim McClarin, 10 April, 2006 - 7:05pm login or register to post comments

 
Hooked
I think I am on my way... Even without looking it seems - those crazy lookin critters are everywhere!
… Sharon, 10 April, 2006 - 7:08pm login or register to post comments

Comment viewing options
Select your preferred way to display the comments and click 'Save settings' to activate your changes.

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2021 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Printer Friendly Version 		Terms of Use
Privacy Statement
Site Map
Contact