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White-marked Tussock Moth Cocoon (Orgyia leucostigma) ♂ in a crevice above my camper door. At a dense mixed forest edge. Easily identified as this species as there are the black-tipped setae which are incorporated into the cocoon! <br /> Check out Christine&#039;s photo here to get a look at the &quot;clubbed&quot; black setae (at the anterior and posterior ends of the caterpillar):<br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/63378/white-marked_tussock_moth_caterpillar_-_orgyia_leucostigma.html" title="White-marked tussock moth caterpillar - Orgyia leucostigma"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3232/63378_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=Wd1haYE4Pkfq%2F5sQsalRubQSXDk%3D" width="200" height="152" alt="White-marked tussock moth caterpillar - Orgyia leucostigma This caterpillar has been frustrating me for several years now. Each summer, I try to get a sharp, side profile shot of it, and every year, I fail. This is my best attempt so far, so I decided to post it and will keep trying until I get a clear shot.<br /> <br /> Bright red head, yellow middorsal tufts on A1-A4, and a black middorsal stripe that is flanked by yellow subdorsal stripes. It was about 3 cm long.<br /> <br /> Spotted in a deciduous forest. <br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/63376/white-marked_tussock_moth_caterpillar_-_orgyia_leucostigma.html Geotagged,Orgyia leucostigma,Summer,United States,White-marked tussock moth,caterpillar,orgyia" /></a></figure><br /> <br /> I&#039;m assuming this is a male cocoon as there are is no egg mass laid on top of this, but I&#039;m also wondering if this is a female coccoon-and the assassin bug nymphs possibly ate the eggs/frothy mass? There are Reduuvid exuviae all around it! Geotagged,Orgyia leucostigma,United States,White-marked tussock moth,Winter Click/tap to enlarge

White-marked Tussock Moth Cocoon (Orgyia leucostigma) ♂

in a crevice above my camper door. At a dense mixed forest edge. Easily identified as this species as there are the black-tipped setae which are incorporated into the cocoon!
Check out Christine's photo here to get a look at the "clubbed" black setae (at the anterior and posterior ends of the caterpillar):

White-marked tussock moth caterpillar - Orgyia leucostigma This caterpillar has been frustrating me for several years now. Each summer, I try to get a sharp, side profile shot of it, and every year, I fail. This is my best attempt so far, so I decided to post it and will keep trying until I get a clear shot.<br /> <br /> Bright red head, yellow middorsal tufts on A1-A4, and a black middorsal stripe that is flanked by yellow subdorsal stripes. It was about 3 cm long.<br /> <br /> Spotted in a deciduous forest. <br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/63376/white-marked_tussock_moth_caterpillar_-_orgyia_leucostigma.html Geotagged,Orgyia leucostigma,Summer,United States,White-marked tussock moth,caterpillar,orgyia


I'm assuming this is a male cocoon as there are is no egg mass laid on top of this, but I'm also wondering if this is a female coccoon-and the assassin bug nymphs possibly ate the eggs/frothy mass? There are Reduuvid exuviae all around it!

    comments (5)

  1. View Christine Young's profile
    Christine Young
    Lion
    View Lion class
    Great find! The pupa was still in there? Posted 4 years ago
    1. View Flown Kimmerling's profile
      Flown Kimmerling
      Lion
      View Lion class
      I don't know. It is really far above our door, and I really didn't want to disturb it too much. I had to reach up really high to get this shot :D Posted 4 years ago
      1. View Christine Young's profile
        Christine Young
        Lion
        View Lion class
        MAybe you will be able to witness it emerge! Posted 4 years ago
        1. View Flown Kimmerling's profile
          Flown Kimmerling
          Lion
          View Lion class
          That would be wild :O Posted 4 years ago
          1. View Christine Young's profile
            Christine Young
            Lion
            View Lion class
            Records on BG show it in Georgia as early as April in the spring. But, I have no idea if those records are of adults or not. You could use your trail cam to record the cocoon, lol. Posted 4 years ago

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The White-marked tussock moth

"Orgyia leucostigma", the White-marked tussock moth, is a moth in the family Lymantriidae. The caterpillar is very common especially in late summer in eastern North America, as far west as Texas, Colorado, and Alberta.

Info 16 0
Similar species: Moths And Butterflies
Species identified by Flown Kimmerling
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By Flown Kimmerling

All rights reserved
Uploaded Jan 23, 2021. Captured Jan 22, 2021 16:18 in 227 Oakman Rd NE, Oakman, GA 30732, USA.
country flag of United States of America Explore United States of America 39,925 9,640 8
  • Canon EOS 6D Mark II
  • f/29.0
  • 1/83s
  • ISO100
  • 100mm
Captured in the winter. More winter photos.

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