Subject: Tussock Moth Caterpillar
Location: Singapore
March 2, 2015 7:41 pm
I found this caterpillar crawling on my mother’s eggplant about a week ago, and as I’ve a weird interest in all kinds of creepy crawlies, I’ve made it my mission to see this guy to adulthood. He’s molted twice now and I’ve been feeding him leaves off the plant I found him on.
Through google I’ve determined that this guy is a Tussock Moth caterpillar, but I couldn’t find any images or information as to exactly what species he is and/or how the adult moth looks like. I’m attaching a few pictures of it as of 3 March 15, in hopes that you can help!
Thanks in advance!
Signature: Saphiea
Dear Saphiea,
We agree that this looks like a Tussock Moth Caterpillar in the genus Orgyia, but we have not had any luck determining a definite species. Females in this genus are flightless, and it will be interesting to see what happens when your adult ecloses.
I’m not sure if it the case or if I’m getting mixed up with something else but I think these guys pupate in the soil around the roots of plants so you may need to put some dirt and a small plant of some sort in with it.
Hi Trevor,
That is very interesting. We were not aware that Tussock Moths pupated underground.
My kids just discovered something similar on our sunflower plant yesterday. We are living in Singapore too. Hoping we could watch it grow but concerned that our plant might not be sufficient to sustain it. Wondering how it found its way to our hdb!