Is a pale tussock moth rare?

The Pale Tussock moth is a common species throughout much of the southern half of England, becoming scarcer in northern regions.

What does a tussock moth turn into?

As caterpillars grow, they become hairier and more colorful. Mature caterpillars will have red spots on their sides, yellow markings with hairs, four prominent white tufts of hair (tussocks) on their backs, two large black tufts on the head and a single posterior tuft.

Should I get rid of tussock moth caterpillars?

The cocoons also are known to cause allergic reactions and they are very well attached, so some effort will be needed to remove them. It’s good to get rid of the cocoons because you are also removing the eggs for the next generation of caterpillars.

What does a pale tussock moth eat?

The caterpillars feed on a range of tree leaves including elm, birch, hazel, lime and oak. And hops … which explains (a bit) its colloquial name of ‘hop dogs. ‘ Here on the meadow, it was probably chomping on my fruit tree leaves – also part of its diet.

How big are the wings of a pale tussock moth?

The females have an approximate forewing length of 30mm and are larger and paler than the males. Males have a wing length of up to 22mm and have comb-like antennae. When settled the moths extend their hairy front legs out in front. Pale Tussock (Calliteara pudibunda) fully grown caterpillar. Photo Steve Ogden.

When do tussock moth caterpillars go to hibernation?

Adult moths mate and lay eggs in the summer months and caterpillars hatch from those eggs in the late summer and early fall. The tiny caterpillars feed for a short while—most often on poplar, aspen, cottonwood, and willow trees—before they retreat inside bark crevices and spin a web for hibernation.

Where are pale tussock moth and Calliteara pudibunda found?

They were once commonly found on hops growing in the south east of England where the pickers referred to them as Hop Dogs. The hairs of the caterpillars were reputed to have caused quite severe allergic skin reactions among the pickers.

What kind of tree does the tussock moth feed on?

Rusty Tussock Moth. The Rusty Tussock Moth, also known as the Vapourer Moth, feeds on willow, apple, hawthorn, cedar, Douglas-fir, and a wide variety of other trees and shrubs. On coniferous trees, the caterpillars feed on new growth, including not only the needles but also the tender bark on twigs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3fYbkVKvXg