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HELP! What is this caterpillar?
3 posters
Page 1 of 1
Rusty Tussock Moth
It's definitely the caterpillar of some sort of tussock moth. The closest thing in my guide book is the Rusty Tussock Moth Orgyia antiqua -- but my book is for Eastern North America, and I see you are in CA. The bugguide site has one report of this species in CA, so it's possible.
The hairs on tussock moth caterpillars can cause a mild rash, or a more severe allergic reaction, in susceptible people: Don't pet it or pick it up with bare hands. My book indicates they feed on a variety of tree leaves, including fruit trees. If the caterpillar wasn't in a tree, it probably either fell out accidentally, or it may be on its wanderlust - journeying from its food plant to find a place to pupate and turn into a moth.
The hairs on tussock moth caterpillars can cause a mild rash, or a more severe allergic reaction, in susceptible people: Don't pet it or pick it up with bare hands. My book indicates they feed on a variety of tree leaves, including fruit trees. If the caterpillar wasn't in a tree, it probably either fell out accidentally, or it may be on its wanderlust - journeying from its food plant to find a place to pupate and turn into a moth.
BeetlesPerSqFt-
Posts : 1439
Join date : 2016-04-11
Location : Port Matilda, PA Zone 5b/6a LF:5/11-FF:10/10
Re: HELP! What is this caterpillar?
Thanks, Beetles. My folks out here said tussock, too. What an unusual little guy. I didn't touch it. Yesterday we had two tent caterpillars in the construction zone. We are working right under an oak tree, so I guess that explains it.BeetlesPerSqFt wrote:It's definitely the caterpillar of some sort of tussock moth. The closest thing in my guide book is the Rusty Tussock Moth Orgyia antiqua -- but my book is for Eastern North America, and I see you are in CA. The bugguide site has one report of this species in CA, so it's possible.
The hairs on tussock moth caterpillars can cause a mild rash, or a more severe allergic reaction, in susceptible people: Don't pet it or pick it up with bare hands. My book indicates they feed on a variety of tree leaves, including fruit trees. If the caterpillar wasn't in a tree, it probably either fell out accidentally, or it may be on its wanderlust - journeying from its food plant to find a place to pupate and turn into a moth.
Re: HELP! What is this caterpillar?

Scorpio Rising-
Posts : 8458
Join date : 2015-06-12
Age : 61
Location : Ada, Ohio
Re: HELP! What is this caterpillar?
Well, he was showin' off a little.Scorpio Rising wrote:I love to play "what is this?" Fill in the blank! Tussock. Mindin his own biz.


» Caterpillar vs. Fennel
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» Parsley Caterpillar?
» HUGE caterpillar
» Green Caterpillars
» Horned caterpillar- oh my gosh!
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