Forest Pests: Insects, Diseases & Other Damage Agents

Rusty Tussock Moth (Orgyia antiqua nova)

Maier, C.T., C.R. Lemmon, J.M. Fengler, D.F. Schweitzer, and R.C. Reardon. 2004. Caterpillars on the Foliage of Conifers in the Northeastern United States. FHTET-2004-1. Morgantown, WV: USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team; 151 p.

Description. Blackish body with compact tufts of long, dark hair on T1, A2, and A8, with brush-like, dorsal abdominal tufts, and with other tufts on brightly colored spots. Black head; reddish prothoracic shield with black wedge in center and with yellowish and whitish hairs projecting forward from anterior margin. Mostly black dorsum bordered by grayish white, especially on A6 to A8; compact tuft of plumed, black hairs before spiracle on T1, below spiracle on A2, and middorsally on A8; large, brownish yellow dorsal tuft on A1 to A4; red dorsal gland on A6 and A7. Many segments ringed wholly or partly by low reddish tubercles with mostly yellow hairs. Up to 35 mm.

Food. Many trees and shrubs, including balsam fir, eastern hemlock, eastern larch, pines, spruces, and probably other conifers.

Life Cycle. One generation. Egg overwinters usually in egg mass on empty female cocoon. Mature caterpillar present from June to August.

Comments. Unlike the white-marked tussock moth, Orgyia leucostigma intermedia, the adult of this species is active during the day. Another subspecies, O. antiqua antiqua, is very widespread in Europe where it feeds on many deciduous trees and shrubs.

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