Horsfield's Tussock Moth
Common NameHorsfield's Tussock Moth
Scientific NameLymantria horsfieldii
FamilyErebidae
SubfamilyLymantriinae
Wingspan (mm)40
Primary Colorsgrey, white, black, yellow, orange
HabitatTropical and subtropical forests, woodlands
Geographic RangeSoutheast Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia)
Host PlantsShorea, Dipterocarpus, Acacia, Mangifera, Terminalia, Tectona, Hevea
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions, multiple generations
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are typically hairy caterpillars, often with distinctive tufts of hair (tussocks), which can cause skin irritation upon contact. They undergo pupation within a cocoon.
Identification TipsLook for the mottled grey and white forewings with wavy patterns, a prominent dark spot on the thorax, and very hairy body. Males have distinctive feathery antennae, and a flash of yellow/orange on the hindwings or abdomen is often visible.
Description
This is a medium-sized moth with highly cryptic grey and white forewings adorned with wavy dark lines and spots. Its body is densely covered in light grey fur, and the hindwings and abdomen often display a flash of yellow or orange.
