Insect · GBIF taxon 1814365
Sycamore Tussock Moth
Halysidota harrisiiAlso 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
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
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
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyErebidae
- GenusHalysidota
- SpeciesHalysidota harrisii
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- 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 Moth (c) Cyndy Sims Parr, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Host Plant no rights reserved, uploaded by Andy Wilson · cc0
Close Relative (c) Laura Gaudette, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Laura Gaudette · cc-by
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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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