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White-Marked Tussock Moth?
Hello there. I found this fuzzy little critter hanging from a tree (I think it was an oak, I didn’t pay much attention). I did a little searching around on the internet. I’m pretty certain it’s a Tussock Moth caterpillar. Possibly the White-Marked variety. Perhaps you could confirm for me? Thanks,
Nathan Hillier
Hi Nathan,
This sure looks like a White Marked Tussock Moth Caterpillar to us, but several other species of Tussock Moth look very similar.
White Marked Tussock Moth Caterpillar
LA & D,
So, having decided that your site is just an extraordinary amount of fun, we’ve pulled out our digital bug photos from over the course of this century. We were planning to inundate you with requests, but then we discovered that we can almost always ID what we were going to send, based on someone else’s submission over that same stretch of time. At first, we’re disappointed: “Damn it!” we say (or think), “someone’s already submitted this one!” Then there’s a followup realization — we learn a lot from scanning through the site, looking for matches. We learn what we’ve got — a six spotted green tiger beetle here, a Calligrapha multipunctata there… and we also learn to recognize incredible beasties we haven’t yet come across in the flesh, like Homesteader grasshoppers, Wheel bugs and the barely believeable Hickory Horned Devil caterpillar. So thanks for all your effort, and here’s another rerun for you; a White Marked Tussock Moth Caterpillar, shot in September of 2000 in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Jim & Sandy
Hi again Jim and Sandy,
Your photo is quite beautiful. Just a suggestion before you innundate us with images: try to send them in at approximately the same time of year that they were shot so that being posted on the homepage will assist other readers more than unseasonal postings. Your White Marked Tussock Moth image is quite nice.
Black and Yellow Caterpillar
Help! I found a couple of these at Lake Tahoe, I followed them around for awhile, then said goodbye. I’d really like to know what kind it is and what it will turn into.
Sharon Dellinger
Hi Sharon,
Until someone informs us otherwise, be believe this to be the Spotted Tussock Moth Caterpillar, Lophocampa maculata, formerly Halisidota maculata. Many times the caterpillar has black tufts along the dorsal ridge, but we have located an image online that resembles your specimen.
What is this caterpillar?
What is this? We found him on our picnic table last weekend at Burr Oak State Park near Nelsonville, Ohio. It is in the SE part of the state in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains (if that helps). We didn’t touch it becuase Mom read “stinging caterpillars” are fuzzy ones. Please help! Thanks!!!
Kyra and Ella Walker
Hi Kyra and Ella,
This is one of the Tussock Moth Caterpillars in the genus Halysidota. It is most likely the Banded Tussock Moth Caterpillar, Halysidota tessellaris. While it is true that caterpillars with hairs and spines are sometimes stinging species, this is not one of those.
caterpillars
Hi! I found your site several weeks ago after my arm grazed a Saddleback Caterpillar. After several minutes of frantic searching, certain that the bubbling flesh sensation on my arm was a harbinger of death, I was relieved to learn that the toxin is usually just a nuisance. Discovering that there are so many bizarre caterpillars that I?ve never seen before helped me deal with the discomfort of the sting. Since then, I?ve used your site for a few other identifications. Here?s a caterpillar I came across yesterday. It looked rather like the Tussock Moth caterpillars pictured on your site, but not quite. After delving deeper into the Tussock category, I believe it?s a Sycamore Tussock Caterpillar. I don?t think you have a picture of this particular variety. I?m still having trouble identifying this rust-colored caterpillar that looks like it has facial hair. After viewing all of your caterpillar shots, I think it’s vaguely Dagger-ish, but I’m not convinced. Any ideas? I live in southern Maryland. Thanks so much for your great work!
~MM
PS– On the camera front: I?ve also learned that my Cannon Powershot is great for many things, but shooting moving fuzzy caterpillars is not among its strengths. So far, nothing holds a candle to my old Pentax K-1000.
Hi MN,
Thanks for sending us an image of the Sycamore Tussock Moth, Halysidota harrisii. Researching its scientific name led us to a caterpillar site we hadn’t visited before, Tom Murray’s Moth Caterpillars. We agree your other caterpillar is probably a Dagger Moth, but the photo is quite blurry.
Lophocampa Maculata caterpillar
Hiya! I used your site to identify the caterpillars which are currently roaming over my area (heavily wooded area outside La Conner, in western Washington). Thought you might like a copy of my best pic. Cute little guys! I’m also trying to identify the spiders which are at the height of their seasonal activity. I think it might be a kind of wolf spider (I’m quite familiar with those, we have them everywhere…) since they are similar in size, general shape, “boxing gloves,” and behavior (no webs, running around, hiding under stuff). However, while wolf spiders are gray and kind of furry-looking, these have brown/black bodies, reddish-orange legs, and a smooth/shiny appearance. I haven’t been able to get a good pic of one yet, but I’ll send it along as soon as I have a good photo opportunity. Thanks for all your hard work, your site is the best!
Erika
Hi Erika,
Thanks for sending us your photo of a Spotted Tussock Moth Caterpillar. The spiders you describe sound like Wolf Spiders.
What is This!
Dear Bugman,
I just heard about your site and it seems to be a perfect place to receive information on some of the strange creatures I’ve discovered around my home. Towards the end of April I discovered this caterpillar on my deck. It looks like something from Mars. What kind is it?
Bob High
Charlotte, NC
Hi Bob,
This is one of the Tussock Moth Caterpillars in the genus Orgyia, most probably the White Marked Tussock Moth.
Whitemarked (Yellow) Tussock Moth Caterpillar
Hi There,
I didn’t see this guy on your site. I came across it on a stinging caterpillar website. I’m glad I didn’t know it could sting when it was on me! I was gentle with it though and had no irritation after photographing it and shooing it away. These pictures were taken along the Brandywine River in PA in Jun 2005.
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
We actually have many photos of White Marked Tussock Moth Caterpillars, Orgyia leucostigma, on our site. We suspect you never checked our five caterpillar pages.
Unknown caterpillar?
Hi there!
We were watering the plants in the yard and came across three of these on our geranium and one on our rosebush. We live on the central coast in California and have never seen these in our yard. The closest match we could find is the White Marked Tussock Moth Caterpillar. Watcha’ think?
Thanks,
Jon and Emily
Hi Jon and Emily,
A closely related species to the White Marked Tussock Moth is the Western Tussock Moth, Orgyia vetusta. That is your caterpillar.
Help me PLEASE
Hi Bugman,
All I can say is WOW!!!!! What a WONDERFUL site. The BEST bug site
I’ve seen. Thank you.
I love to photograph all sorts of “Creepy Crawlers and Fliers” I live
in Chicago, Illinois. I’m also including a couple photo’s of what I believe to be a White marked Tussock Moth caterpillar that I found in Minnesota that you might like for your site. Thanks again for having a GREAT site.
Glenn
Hi Glenn,
Your Whitemarked Tussock Moth Caterpillar photos are studio quality. They remind us of fashion photos.
catapiller in Wisconsin
Hi, I don’t know very much a bout bugs and things crawly things, but while in Wisconsin this past Labor Day when my sister and I came upon this out-of-this-world looking Catapiller. We were on a path about 100ft from Lake Pepin in Maiden Rock, Wisconsin. Lake Pepin is actually part of the Mississippi River. I think it might be a Tussock Moth Caterpillar as seen in the 4th section of your site, but it certainly was fun to look at. My co-wroker here in Schaumburg, IL, Sue, told me about your site and suggested i send you it. By the way, the little guy was about 5 inches long, in case that helps, and Sue is Lisa’s Mom.
John R.
Hi John,
Yes, this is a Tussock Moth, more specifically the White-Marked Tussock moth, Orgyia leucostigma, but five inches long is enormous. Give Sue a big hug for us and tell her we miss her.
Caterpillers
Hi my name is Ron and I have a natural history museum in northern California. I teach kids on the side natural history. Last evening a Montana based friend who was once in my science club, sent me your sight. I want to tell you how much I appreciate it. I looked for three species of caterpillar that I can’t ID on your sight but didn’t see any of them, but sure saw a lot of neat stuff. I would like to list my three with you in hopes of you identifying them. Thank you so much for your service.
Ron
Hi Ron,
We are only able to view one of your caterpillars, and it is a Tussock Moth Caterpillar in the genus Orgyis, but it doesn’t seem to exactly match any images on BugGuide.
