This moth has a wingspan of close to 2 inches. It has a tan color, with light brown wavy banding (A,C), and a prominent green and yellow-lined tuft on its head (B). The adult moths of the Sycamore Tussock (Halysidota harrisii) and the Banded Tussock (Halysidota tesselaris) are identical and cannot be separated except by dissection or DNA analysis. The caterpillars of the Banded Tussock are variable in color, either off-white, brown or yellow, with black tufts on the head and rear (D,E,F). The caterpillars of the Sycamore Tussock are whitish with orange and white tufts at the head and white tufts at the rear (G).
These moths are considered to be common in our two nature centers. The caterpillars of both species have been photographed in Fontenelle Forest. The adults are rarely seen during the day – our images (A,B,C) were taken at night, with the help of artificial light. The Banded Tussock caterpillars feed on a variety of host plants, including hickory, oak, ash and walnut. The Sycamore Tussock caterpillars feed only on the leaves of Sycamore trees.
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