Orgyia leucostigma

White-marked tussock moth
	Adult
	Larva
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Superfamily:	Noctuoidea
Family:	Erebidae
Genus:	Orgyia
Species:	O. leucostigma
Binomial name
	Orgyia leucostigma; (J. E. Smith, 1797)
Synonyms
	Phalaena leucostigma J. E. Smith, 1797; Hemerocampa leucostigma; Cladophora leucographa Geyer, 1832; Acyphas plagiata Walker, 1855; Orgyia wardi Riotte, 1971; Orgyia oslari Barnes, 1900; Orgyia libera Strecker, 1900;

Orgyia leucostigma, the white-marked tussock moth, is a moth in the family Erebidae. The species was first described by James Edward Smith in 1797. The caterpillar is very common especially in late summer in eastern North America, extending as far west as Texas, California, and Alberta.^[1]

Etymology[edit]

The genus name Orgyia is from the ancient Greek word ὄργυια, órgyia - 'outstretched arms'. So named because, when at rest, the moth stretches forward its forelegs like arms.

Life cycle[edit]

Two or more generations occur per year in eastern North America.^[2] They overwinter in the egg stage.

Eggs[edit]

Eggs are laid in a single mass over the cocoon of the female, and covered in a froth.^[2] Up to 300 eggs are laid at a time.

Larvae[edit]

The larvae are brightly colored, with tufts of hair-like setae. The head is bright red and the body has yellow or white stripes, with a black stripe along the middle of the back. Bright red defensive glands are seen on the hind end of the back. Four white toothbrush-like tufts stand out from the back, and a gray-brown hair pencil is at the hind end. There’s a theory that the four white tufts mimic the external cocoons of parasitic wasps.^[3] Touching the hairs sets off an allergic reaction in many humans.^[2] Young larvae skeletonize the surface of the leaf, while older larvae eat everything except the larger veins.^[4] They grow to about 35 mm long.

Pupae[edit]

The caterpillars spin a grayish cocoon in bark crevices and incorporate setae in it. The moths emerge after two weeks.

Adults[edit]

The females have reduced wings and do not leave the vicinity of the cocoon. The males are gray with wavy black lines and a white spot on the forewings (the vapourer, Orgyia antiqua, is similar but is a rusty color.) The antennae are very feathery. Moths are found from June to October.

Wingless female with eggs

Host plants[edit]

The caterpillars may be found feeding on an extremely wide variety of trees, both deciduous and coniferous, including apple, birch, black locust, cherry, elm, fir, hackberry, hemlock, hickory, larch, oak, rose, spruce, chestnut, and willow.^[2] Defoliating outbreaks are occasionally reported especially on Manitoba maple and elm in urban areas.^[4] Outbreaks are usually ended by viral disease.

Ecology[edit]

The fungus Entomophaga maimaiga was introduced to North America to control the spongy moth (Lymantria dispar). The fungus also infects O. leucostigma^[5] and could possibly have an impact in years when E. maimaiga is abundant. Large larvae are mostly attacked by birds, and small larvae mostly disappear during dispersal.^[6]

Subspecies[edit]

O. l. leucostigma (South Carolina, from Georgia and Florida to Texas)
O. l. intermedia Fitch, 1856 (from Maine and Ontario to Virginia, Alberta and Kansas)
O. l. plagiata (Walker, 1855) (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec)
O. l. oslari Barnes, 1900 (New Mexico, Colorado)
O. l. sablensis Niel, 1979 (Sable Island, Canada)

Image Gallery[edit]

Larva on brinjal
Larva
Larva
Larva
Larva
Larva
Larva
Caterpillar
Caterpillar in Texas

References[edit]

^ "Orgyia leucostigma (white-marked tussock moth)". CABI Invasive Species Compendium. CABI. 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Wagner, D. M. (2005). Caterpillars of Eastern North America. Princeton University Press.
^ "White-Marked Tussock Moth (Family Lymantriidae)". 23 November 2010.
^ ^a ^b Rose, AH and OH Lindquist. (1982). Insects of eastern hardwood trees. Canadian Forestry Service, Forestry Tech Rep 29. Government of Canada, Ottawa. ISBN 0-660-11205-1.
^ Hajek, A. E.; Strazanac, J. S.; Wheeler, M. M.; Vermeylen, F. M.; & Butler, L. (2004). "Persistence of the fungal pathogen Entomophaga maimaiga and its impact on native Lymantriidae". Biological Control. 30 (2): 466–473.
^ Medina, R. F. & Barbosa, P. (2002). "Predation of small and large Orgyia leucostigma (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) larvae by vertebrate and invertebrate predators". Environmental Entomology. 31: 1097–1102.

External links[edit]

"Species Orgyia leucostigma - White-marked Tussock Moth - Hodges#8316". BugGuide. Retrieved May 16, 2020. With images.

[1] "Orgyia leucostigma (white-marked tussock moth)". CABI Invasive Species Compendium. CABI. 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2019.

[Wagner-2] Wagner, D. M. (2005). Caterpillars of Eastern North America. Princeton University Press.

[3] "White-Marked Tussock Moth (Family Lymantriidae)". 23 November 2010.

[Rose-4] Rose, AH and OH Lindquist. (1982). Insects of eastern hardwood trees. Canadian Forestry Service, Forestry Tech Rep 29. Government of Canada, Ottawa. ISBN 0-660-11205-1.

[5] Hajek, A. E.; Strazanac, J. S.; Wheeler, M. M.; Vermeylen, F. M.; & Butler, L. (2004). "Persistence of the fungal pathogen Entomophaga maimaiga and its impact on native Lymantriidae". Biological Control. 30 (2): 466–473.

[Medina-6] Medina, R. F. & Barbosa, P. (2002). "Predation of small and large Orgyia leucostigma (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) larvae by vertebrate and invertebrate predators". Environmental Entomology. 31: 1097–1102.

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