Tussock Moths

Family Lymantriidae

Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar). Photo:Stephanie Boucher

The larvae feed on the foliage of trees and shrubs, but the adults do not feed. Some of the caterpillars in this family have irritating hairs and can cause rashes if they contact skin. The tussock moths are mostly nocturnal but males of some species are active during the day. These moths are medium sized and hairy. They are usually pale or dull coloured. The adults have a short proboscis or none at all. The males have a small body with broad wings and the females have a heavy body and are sometimes wingless. The females that do have wings are poor fliers. The larvae are covered with brightly colored hairs, and have dorsal glands in the middle of each of the 6th and 7th segments.