Southern tussock moth

Dasychira meridionalis

Dasychira meridionalis is an American species of tussock moth.
Mystery bug! Actually, this bug is a Tussock Moth caterpillar. I found it crawling on the outside of my house and got an ID through a bug identification website, but couldn't find the choice under the ID button. Dasychira meridionalis,Southern tussock moth,Tussock Moth caterpillar,bugs,caterpillar,insects

Naming

Ferguson (1978) recognizes three subspecies:
Dasychira meridionalis kerrvillei (Barnes & McDunnough, 1913), Type locality: Kerrville, Kerr Co., Texas.
Dasychira meridionalis memorata Ferguson, 1978, Type locality: McClellanville, Charleston Co., South Carolina.
Dasychira meridionalis pallorosa Ferguson, 1978, Type locality: Welder Wildlife Refuge, Sinton, San Patricio Co., Texas.
Southern Tussock Moth (Dasychira meridionalis) - Recently Deceased An individual which had climbed/wrapped itself around a branch, and died. Maybe infected with a virus? https://www.jungledragon.com/image/115839/southern_tussock_moth_dasychira_meridionalis_-_recently_deceased.html https://www.jungledragon.com/image/115837/southern_tussock_moth_dasychira_meridionalis_-_recently_deceased.html Dasychira meridionalis,Geotagged,Southern tussock moth,Spring,United States

Distribution

Type locality: Lakeland, Polk County, Florida.
Southern Tussock Moth (Dasychira meridionalis) - Recently Deceased An individual which had climbed/wrapped itself around a branch, and died. Maybe infected with a virus? https://www.jungledragon.com/image/115839/southern_tussock_moth_dasychira_meridionalis_-_recently_deceased.html https://www.jungledragon.com/image/115838/southern_tussock_moth_dasychira_meridionalis_-_recently_deceased.html Dasychira meridionalis,Geotagged,Southern tussock moth,Spring,United States

Habitat

Deciduous woodlands.
Southern Tussock Moth (Dasychira meridionalis) At a 365 + 395nm UV light setup at a mixed forest edge. Dasychira meridionalis,Geotagged,Southern tussock moth,Summer,United States

Food

Prefers Oak, but is found on a variety of deciduous trees.

References:

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http://bugguide.net/node/view/47712
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionArthropoda
ClassInsecta
OrderLepidoptera
FamilyErebidae
GenusDasychira
SpeciesDasychira meridionalis
Photographed in
United States of America