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Butterfly Garden

Sycamore Tussock Moth

14 years ago

I was hanging out on the deck with friends, and the 8-year-old in the crowd found a cool caterpillar. We searched the web and found a caterpillar ID site that identified it as a Sycamore Tussock Moth. But, it doesn't show any confirmed sitings of this critter in Michigan or anywhere very close. I put it back on the Sycamore tree where we found it, so it should be fine. I was just curious how far various moths or butterflies typically travel, and if it's comon to find them so far outside their known territory. Any comments?

Martha

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Comments (3)

MissSherry
14 years ago
My best caterpillar ID book lists the sycamore tussock moth as occurring from southern Michigan and New England to Florida and Texas.
The fact that this moth isn't officially listed just means that nobody has sent in a picture for an official verification that it occurs there. There are MANY moths that occur in my state that aren't listed. I haven't been sending in pictures to my representative, because the last time I tried - quite a few years ago - he was very uncooperative, acted like I was bothering him. I probably should try again - we may have a new rep.!
Congrats on your cat!
Sherry
SunshineAnnieDeb
14 years ago
Is that the long haired one that eats butterfly weed along side my monarchs?
I found it's picture on this website, 8th pic down from the top.Black orange and white. Wild lookin little critter! One actually came in on my "food" for my cats, and it just shed it's fur coat like the monarchs do. It did not turn around and eat it tho.

http://www.richard-seaman.com/Arthropods/Usa/Caterpillars/NorthernIllinois/index.html

Here is a link that might be useful: caterpillars northern illinois
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docmom_gw
Original Author
14 years ago
Sunshine,
No. The Sycamore tussock looks like the Banded Tussock Moth except its face and "eyebrows" are orangish-brown instead of black. I've seen the milkweed moth cats, also, though usually later in the fall. Thanks for the info Sherry. I actually found another one in the same empty planter (or maybe it was the same one back again). I wonder what they like about that planter. Do they dig in and hibernate?

Martha

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?what to do with this little guy?

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