Banded Wooly Bear caterpillar on Acer palmatum by Jeanne Dammarell

Jeanne Dammarell | all galleries >> Galleries >> butterfies__insects > Banded Wooly Bear caterpillar on Acer palmatum


27-AUG-2007	Jeanne Dammarell

Thank you Carol for locating Simon's photo and identification of this caterpillar! (I've never seen one with these long white hairs. Anyone know it?)

Canon EOS 30D
1/200s f/8.0 at 104.0mm iso400 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto

TahoeMama		28-Sep-2022 19:19
This is likely a spotted tussock moth caterpillar as it has the longer white hairs, which a Isabella Moth caterpillar (banded woolly-bear caterpillar) does not have. The spots on a spotted tussock caterpillar vary by range; some don't have any spots.

Steven Monrad		02-Sep-2021 17:46
Spotted Tussock Moth (Lophocampa maculata) Despite the name, this species is not a Tussock moth, but a Tiger moth, so that woolly caterpillar does not sting. Tiger moths produce caterpillars that are densely covered in hairs and are commonly called woolly bear caterpillars. The Spotted Tussock Moth larva is a woolly bear caterpillar, but it also has black mounds and long white lashes more typically seen in Tussock moths. Tussock caterpillars can sting. This Tiger caterpillar does not. Though it has many appearances as it matures, the most popular stage has black hairs at the head and rear end are split by a yellow or red-orange band of hairs in the middle of the body. Black tussocks, or dome-like tufts of hairs develop along the 'spine', and it is why 'tussock' is used in the common name. The younger caterpillar is frosty white or a shade of yellow with long white lashes. Orange and black dots of color run down the back. Another variation is completely orange with a row of black tussocks on the 'spine'. Moths are most active from spring through summer. These winged adults are brown with tan spots on the forewings. They are often seen in deciduous forests where trees like poplar and willow act as hosts for the growing caterpillars. They also feed on maple, oak, and basswood leaves. Look for them from mid-summer to autumn. insectidentification dot org

Dave Myers		27-Sep-2014 20:36
Find these in my yard quite often in Coquille Oregon, along with other types of Wooley Bear Caterpillars.

Gary		08-Sep-2014 21:58
We had one in our backyard like this one yesterday in central WA State. Also saw a wooly bear without the white "whiskers".

Erin		29-Aug-2010 21:11
Found one in CO, in Franktown brought home for my daughter to raise!

Tom S		23-Jun-2009 19:43
Not a banded wooly bear; the longer white hairs make it a spotted tussock moth larva. It's not really a tussock moth but that's the common name. It's a tiger moth (like the banded wooly bear)...a.k.a. Lophocampa maculata, Hodges #8214. I've also seen it referred to as "the yellow and black hairy woollybear".

Eliz		15-Oct-2008 18:34
Also, in can be seen in northern washington around Camano Island :)

Eliz		15-Oct-2008 18:34
Also, in can be seen in northern washington around Camano Island :)

Elizabeth King		15-Oct-2008 18:34
Also, in can be seen in northern washington around Camano Island :)

Elziabeth		15-Oct-2008 18:26
I have about a thousand in my backyard :)

Guest		02-Oct-2008 04:06
this is the wooly bear of the spotted tussock moth-the ones that look identical but without the white tufts are of the isabella moth

paige BEAUVAIS		12-Sep-2008 19:57
umm are they poisonous???

Debbie Blackburn Beierle		29-Aug-2007 06:53
Excellent detail on this macro! Lovely bokeh. v

Ghislaine et R�al Boulet		29-Aug-2007 02:19
Wonderful! great capture.

Janet Forjan-Freedman		28-Aug-2007 11:37
Terrific colour and saturation! Great texture and the long white spiny bristles give this capture a 3D appearance!

QUERIDO		28-Aug-2007 06:20
Beautiful shot,vote

Tom Munson		28-Aug-2007 05:00
WOW Jeanne, great shot. Composed perfect and love that color. V

Carol Rollins		28-Aug-2007 04:11
Wonderful capture Jeanne. Great color and detail here. Looks like the pics of Wooley Bear I have seen...same colors, etc. Vote.

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