Banded tussock moth - Halysidota tessellaris

Total length: 20-25mm. Pale tan forewing with irregular pattern of slightly darker bands. Thorax has blue and yellow dorsal stripes.

Attracted to a moth light, but like many moths that I've spotted this week, they aren't landing on the sheet. They seem to prefer any other surface! This one was near the roof of my deck. Once again, please excuse the dirt! This side of my house regularly gets pummeled with dirt from the farm across the road from me and it's nearly impossible to keep it clean!

comments (4)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Exactly my experience. I found almost nothing on the sheet. I did not find that much in general, but almost all that I found was on the surrounding chairs, windows, etc. Posted one year ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Yes, exactly! Plus, I cleaned my glass deck doors, the molding, etc. at the beginning of moth week in case moths landed there so I could get a clean shot. Instead, most moths seem to pick the dirtiest spots on the house, deck, chairs, etc. Lol, they are giving me a complex. Posted one year ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Thank you for providing a justification for not cleaning the outside of the house (much). Posted one year ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Lol ;P Posted one year ago

The Banded tussock moth

''Halysidota tessellaris'', also called the banded tussock moth, tessellated halisidota, and pale tiger moth, is in Erebidae. Like many related species, it has chemical defenses it acquires from its host plants, in this case, alkaloids , at least in adults. Larval brazen behaviours suggest that they are chemically protected; they have not been analyzed for alkaloid content.

Info 19 0

Similar species: Moths And Butterflies

Species identified by Christine Young