Tawny Tussock Moth
Common NameTawny Tussock Moth
Scientific NameEuproctis lucifuga
FamilyErebidae
SubfamilyLymantriinae
Wingspan (mm)35
Primary Colorsorange, brown
HabitatForests, woodlands, orchards, and areas with host trees
Geographic RangeAsia (e.g., India, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan)
Host PlantsQuercus, Salix, Prunus, Malus, Pyrus, Rosa, Castanea, Betula, Populus, Ulmus
Flight PeriodVaries by region, typically summer months (e.g., June to September)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are polyphagous, feeding on a wide range of deciduous trees and shrubs. They are typically hairy, and some species in this genus have urticating hairs. Pupation occurs in a cocoon, leading to the emergence of the adult moth.
Identification TipsKey features include its overall tawny to orange-brown coloration, the hairy body, and the presence of faint, often indistinct, darker transverse lines on the forewings. Males are easily identified by their strongly bipectinate (feathery) antennae.
Description
A medium-sized moth with a hairy, tawny orange-brown body and forewings, often displaying faint, darker transverse bands. Males possess distinctive feathery antennae.
