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Species Lophocampa caryae - Hickory Tussock Moth - Hodges#8211
Classification Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily Noctuoidea (Owlet Moths and kin)
Family Erebidae
Subfamily Arctiinae (Tiger and Lichen Moths)
Tribe Arctiini (Tiger Moths)
Subtribe Phaegopterina
Genus Lophocampa
Species caryae (Hickory Tussock Moth - Hodges#8211)
Other Common Names Golden Guide to Butterflies and Moths calls this the Hickory Tiger Moth. Identification Adult: forewing yellow with brown shading and bands of translucent white spots representing usual lines; hindwing very pale, translucent yellow, unmarked (1)
Larva: white with black markings and long hairs; first 8 abdominal segments with short black dorsal tufts and conspicuous subdorsal black lashes on first and seventh abdominal segments
[adapted from description by David Wagner and Valerie Giles] Range Interesting US range runs from the southwestern US to the northeastern US. In Canada, this species is found only in Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Ontario. Several in New Brunswick in 2006 (Tony Thomas) Habitat deciduous woods; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light Season adults fly in May and June
larvae present July to September Food larvae feed on leaves of ash, oak, hickory, maple, elm, and other trees (1); also hops, Virginia creeper, raspberry, rose, sumac, and blueberry ( HOSTS database) Life Cycle one generation per year
The female lays eggs in batches of 50-400 in s single layer on the leaf undersides. The larvae feed gregariously until nearly mature. (2)
Overwinter as pupae in gray, hairy cocoons under litter and stones on the ground. (2)Remarks This species is locally abundant but rarely causes serious defoliation. (2)See Also Spotted Tussock Moth ( Lophocampa maculata) has spots that usually merge into blotchy lines, and has terminal line of spots that merge with outer margin of forewing
on the west coast where L. caryae doesn't occur, Silver-spotted Tiger Moth ( L. argentata) is similar but has darker brown forewing with more silvery spots, and Lophocampa roseata has sharp-angled rectangular or chevron-shaped spots on forewing ( see images of all 3 species at CBIF) Print References Covell, pp. 72-73 and plate 12, #7 (1)
Internet References Moth Photographers Group live and pinned adult images, and live larva image
Moths of North America pinned adult image by Paul Opler, plus US distribution map (USGS)
CBIF Photo of pinned adult
live larva image plus description, foodplants, seasonality, life cycle (David Wagner and Valerie Giles, Caterpillars of Eastern Forests, USGS)
distribution in Canada NS, QC, ON only (U. of Alberta, using CBIF data) Works Cited | 1. | Peterson Field Guides: Eastern Moths
Charles V. Covell. 1984. Houghton Mifflin Company. | |
| 2. | Eastern Forest Insects
Whiteford L. Baker. 1972. U.S. Department of Agriculture · Forest Service. | |
| 3. | Caterpillars of Eastern North America
David L. Wagner. 2005. Princeton University Press. |  |
Contributed by Troy Bartlett on 9 August, 2004 - 9:01pm Additional contributions by Mike Boone, cotinis, Stephen_WV, Robin McLeod, Tony-2, Hartmut Wisch, anitagould, ceiseman, marcie oconnor, Marci HessLast updated 4 August, 2023 - 1:41pm |
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