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Today on Animal Fact Files we’re discussing tussock moths. There are over 2,500 described tussock moth species and they live on every continent except Antarctica. They are absent from some oceanic islands but they are found on Madagascar where they have huge species diversity. Tussock moth diversity is highest in Africa and Asia. These insects are known for their fuzzy appearance with some species sporting alternating short and long bristles. This is where they get their common name! The word ‘tussock’ means a tuft of, usually grass, but, in this case, hair - or, hair-like structures! Tussock moth caterpillars often have very long hair tufts at both the front and rear of their bodies. These are referred to as pencils.

Not all fuzzy caterpillars are tussock moths. Plus, there are some animals called “tussock moths” that aren’t classified in the tussock moth subfamily. This black and white fuzzy caterpillar is known as the “hickory tussock moth” but is classified in the tiger moth subfamily. Tiger moths are also known as woollybears or wooly worm caterpillars and are believed to predict the severity of winter. These may sometimes get lumped in with tussock moths due to common names, but we’ll save woollybears for their own future episode.

Adult tussock moths are also fuzzy and have dull colors. Most are nocturnal, but some have smaller eyes and are more active during the day. Like we talked about in our moth episode, some moths are diurnal! Like luna moths, adult tussock moths don’t have a mouth, so they don’t eat! Their larvae, or caterpillars, however, eat all kinds of food. Tussock moths are most frequently found on trees but they also eat the foliage of shrubs, grasses, vines, and more!

Tussock moths begin life as an egg. These are laid in large groups. The female may cover the eggs with her own bristles or with collected material. In colder areas, the eggs may overwinter. The caterpillars eventually hatch and may balloon to reach a place to eat. They’ll climb to a high perch and release silk to be caught by the wind which will carry them away from their place of birth. This is similar to some spider species! After landing, they eat as much as possible before forming a cocoon. Even their cocoons are hairy! Tussock moths look for protected places like the underside of tree limbs and under loose bark to pupate. Sometimes they form large groups in these safe places. Adults are short-lived and spend their time seeking out a mate. Some adult female tussock moths have tiny, unuseable wings! They depend on their pheromones to attract a winged male to them! Females may also have a clump of hair on their abdomen which is used to cover their eggs.

Predators to tussock moths include birds, beetles, wasps, and more, but they come equipped with defense. Those hairs aren’t just for show. Like tarantulas, the hairs on a tussock moth can be expelled. When these released hairs come in contact with skin, or eyes, they cause irritation! In size, adults may have just over three inch (8cm) wingspans. On average, these insects live about a year in the wild.

For more facts on tussock moths, check out the links below. Give a thumbs up if you learned something new today. Thank you to our Patreon supporter Tracy Bowling for today’s request and to SpikeSpiegel93, Dad, and everyone else for their support of this channel! And thank you for watching Animal Fact Files!