Florida Tussock Moth
Common NameFlorida Tussock Moth
Scientific NameDasylophia floridana
FamilyNotodontidae
SubfamilyNotodontinae
Wingspan (mm)35
Primary Colorstan, brown, gray, blue-green
HabitatWoodlands, forests, areas with oak trees
Geographic RangeSoutheastern United States (Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina)
Host PlantsOak (Quercus spp.)
Flight PeriodMarch to November (multiple broods)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis. Larvae (caterpillars) feed on the leaves of oak trees before pupating and emerging as adult moths.
Identification TipsLook for the unique metallic blue-green stripe on the thorax, combined with the mottled brown and tan forewing pattern with wavy dark lines and small yellowish spots.
Description
A medium-sized moth with mottled tan and brown forewings featuring wavy dark lines and small yellowish-orange spots. Its most distinctive feature is a prominent metallic blue-green stripe running down the dorsal thorax.
