Are white-marked tussock moth poisonous?

White caterpillar’s like White-Marked Tussock Moth Caterpillar Orgyia leucostigma) have what can best be described as toxic pincushion hairs on their backs. And even worse, contact with the hairs of this caterpillar don’t just cause you to recoil, the hairs actually are embedded in your skin.

What does a white tussock caterpillar turn into?

They spin a loosely woven brownish or grayish cocoon that is covered with hairs. Caterpillars pupate in woven, hairy cocoons such as these three on a tree trunk. After a few weeks, the metamorphosis is complete and the adult moths emerge. Female tussock moths are flightless with greatly reduced wings.

What do tussock moths look like?

Tussock Moth adults are often dull brown or white. Females are usually flightless, and neither males nor females feed as adults. They focus on mating and laying eggs, after which they die within days.

What does a white marked tussock moth eat?

Look no further than trees and brush, as these caterpillars feed on a large variety of leaves including oak, pecan, hickory, walnut, willow, rose, maple, pear, and many others, including conifers.

Where do white marked tussock moth caterpillars come from?

The White-marked Tussock Moth is a common native of North America, living throughout the eastern U.S. and Canada. The caterpillars feed on a range of host plants, including birch, cherry, apple, oak, and even some coniferous trees like fir and spruce. White-marked Tussock Moths produce two generations each year.

What kind of moth is white with white spots?

Tussock Moth (Olene sp, Erebidae Family), Klungkung, Bali, Indonesia. Tussock moth butterfly with dried mango leaf isolated on white background. Defoliation, Tussock Moth. Rusty Tussock Moth or Vapourer Caterpillar, Orgyia antiqua, Lymantriidae, Lepidoptera.

Can a tussock moth cause an allergic reaction?

The White-marked Tussock Moth caterpillar is covered with them and the chemicals that are transferred onto skin when they are touched can cause an allergic reaction in humans resulting in redness, irritation, and welts. Pruritic dermatitis (itching) is commonly seen in small children who come into contact with it, or its cocoon, on the playground.

What makes a tussock moth look like a toothbrush?

In the United States, the Gypsy Moth alone costs millions of dollars to control each year. To insect lovers, however, Tussock Mothcaterpillars are known for their striking tufts of hair, or tussocks. Many species exhibit four characteristic clumps of bristles on their backs, giving them the appearance of a toothbrush.