The male White-marked Tussock Moth has a wingspan of 1 to 1.5 inches. The forewing of the male is gray with black markings on the pm. line and a white spot near the inner margin. The am. line is wavy and black. The hindwing is plain brown. The female is wingless. She is heavy-bodied and is covered with dense, pale gray hair. The female is identical to the female Definite Tussock Moth, and can only be identified by association with known males. It is assumed that the female shown here (photos E & F) are of this species since the male is commonly seen in Fontenelle Forest. The mature caterpillar is 1.4 inches long. It has a bright red head, 4 white mid-dorsal tufts and near the end, a black mid-dorsal stripe with 2 red warts. There are 2 long black tufts extending from the head and long white hairs on the body.
This species is common here in Fontenelle Forest. The moths are attracted to lights and have been seen here in September and October. The caterpillars are seen more frequently than the adult moths.
This moth is in the Tussock Moth subfamily (Lymantriinae). The larva feeds on over 140 known plants including black locust, oak, willow, elm, cherry and hackberry. The female lays up to 300 eggs in a froth-covered mass over the cocoon from which she has emerged. This insect overwinters in the egg stage.
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