Fauna
Insect · GBIF taxon 1814365

Sycamore Tussock Moth

Halysidota harrisii

Also known as Sycamore Tiger Moth, Harris's Tussock Moth

Sycamore tussock moth caterpillars are striking yellow-and-white woolly larvae adorned with distinct long hair pencils near both ends of the body. They feed almost exclusively on the leaves of American sycamore and London plane trees before pupating in felted cocoons woven from their own setae. The buff-colored adult moths emerge with subtle, delicate net-like patterns across their wings and spend their brief adult lives seeking mates after dusk.

CaterpillarNocturnalMoth
Sycamore Tussock Moth reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) David George, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by David George · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Sycamore leaves
  • London plane tree leaves
Predators
  • Birds
  • Bats
  • Parasitoid wasps
ThreatsPesticide spraying, habitat fragmentation, parasitoid wasps
HabitatsDeciduous forests, riverbanks, urban parks
Life span1 year
Classification
  1. OrderLepidoptera
  2. FamilyErebidae
  3. GenusHalysidota
  4. SpeciesHalysidota harrisii
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Caterpillar hairs can irritate skin; avoid handling larvae directly with bare hands.
Why it is dangerous
Larval hairs possess physical barbs that break off easily, embedding in skin and causing localized rash or contact dermatitis.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for bright yellow-white caterpillars with long hair pencils feeding in groups on sycamore foliage.
What to do
Observe larvae without touching, using a twig or leaf if moving them is required.
Responsible observation
  • Target Sycamore Trees: Look for caterpillars on the undersides of sycamore leaves in mid to late summer.
  • Attract Adults at Night: Adult moths are nocturnal and drawn to white sheets lit by blacklights.
  • Avoid Direct Contact: Observe furry larvae without touching them to prevent minor skin irritation.
Related species
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Found in Collections

Species set

Moonlight Marvels

Sycamore Tussock Moth is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.

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