New! Caring for Woolly Bear Caterpillars

Hickory Tussock Moth caterpillars are often found in the fall when their larger size and bright colouration draw attention. Lophocampa caryae caterpillars are white and black and are covered in grayish-white hairs. A row of black tufts adorn the first eight abdominal segments and pairs of long black hair-tufts grace the first and seventh segments.

Lophocampa caryae caterpillars feed gregariously on the leaves of several hardwoods, but hickories, walnut and butternut are preferred. Gray cocoons, spun up in the fall under leaf litter, often incorporate some of the body hairs.

Caryae Tiger Moths emerge from cocoons the following spring, usually in May and June. The underwings are a plain, pale yellow.

Image of Lophocampa caryae moth composited by Bill Oehlke

The Hickory Tussock Moth, (Lophocampa caryae, wingspan 3.0 - 5.5 cm) ranges from Mexico and the southwestern United States in a diagonal swathe northeastward to Maine and southern portions of the central and eastern Canadian provinces.

Lophocampa caryae caterpillars have hairs which often trigger alergic reactions on tender skin and are better left untouched.

One Mom recently wrote: "A word of warning to anyone wanting to "play" with one. Recently while on Block Island in Rhode Island, my 3 year old decided to befriend one. Even named him, "Bruce". Shortly after handling it, his hands became itchy and red and he seemed to be in pain. He continued to develop a rash all over his hands, between his fingers and on his belly. We immediately administered Benydril and within the hour he began to feel better. However, a day later he still has the rash.

If you have anyone interested in handling these crawlies, you might warn them that they could have a reaction."

The Hickory tussock moth caterpillars take up to eight weeks to mature and there is a single generation each year in northern portions of its range, with moths eclosing in the spring.

After nightfall, the female moth extends a scent gland from the tip of her abdomen. Night-flying males zigzag in their flights into the wind, pick up the airbourne scent with their antennae, and locate and mate with the calling female.

Upon separating, the male looks for another mate while the female begins her ovipositing flight under cover of darkness. Eggs are deposited in large clusters but larvae seldom do any real damage to trees..

Male Lophocampa caryae come in to lights and rest with wings folded over their backs.

If this info has been helpful, please click on the flashing butterfly to express appreciation and to visit other related sites.

or go to Introduction to WORLD'S LARGEST SATURNIIDAE SITE and click on flashing butterfly there. This site features spectacular photography with the most extensive set of Saturniidae files found anywhere on the internet.

Woolly bear or fuzzy bear caterpillars come in a variety of colours and patterns, many of them quite striking!

Click on the hypertext (blue print) below to access info and images of various Tiger Moth adults and caterpillars:

ARCTIIDAE (TIGER MOTH) INDEX:

Yellow Bear Spilosama virginica entire U.S, Can. and E. Mex....

Woolly Bear Pyrrharctia isabella entire U.S., Can., Mexico.......

Giant Leopard Moth Ecpantheria scribonia eastern 1/2 U.S. & Can.

Pale Tussock Moth Halysidota tessellaris eastern 1/2 U.S., Can. & Mex...

Hickory Tussock Moth Lophocampa caryae Mex., Sw. U.S. to Se. Can...

Spotted tussock Moth Lophocampa maculata E. 2/3 Can. U.S. border

Larval images are from Caterpillars of Eastern Forests courtesy of David Wagner.

Visit other websites maintained by Bill Oehlke:

ARCTIIDAE (TIGER MOTHS)
EUROPEAN SATURNIIDAE
NORTH AMERICAN SATURNIIDAE
SATURNIIDAE OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND:rearing info.
SPHINGIDAE OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
BUTTERFLIES OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
KIRBY WOLFE SATURNIIDAE COLLECTION

Have a nice day!

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