Forest Pests: Insects, Diseases & Other Damage Agents

White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma intermedia)

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. Hairy, blackish body with compact tufts of long, black plumed hairs on T1 and A8, with white dorsal abdominal tufts, and with colored stripes and spots. Reddish head and prothoracic shield; compact tuft of hairs before spiracle on T1 and middorsally on A8. Broad, black middorsal stripe; large, white dorsal hair tuft on A1 to A4; reddish dorsal gland on A6 and A7. Yellowish subdorsal stripe, broader after dorsal tufts; light gray supraspiracular and subspiracular hair tufts on partly or wholly yellow tubercles; yellowish subspiracular stripe reduced to yellow spots on abdomen. Up to 35 mm.

Food. Many woody plants, including balsam fir, eastern hemlock, eastern larch, and spruces.

Life Cycle. Apparently two generations. Egg overwinters in egg mass usually on empty female cocoon. Mature caterpillar present from May to September, with generations well separated at any one place.

Comments. During outbreaks, this caterpillar has damaged balsam fir and other conifers in plantations.

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