Fauna
Insect · GBIF taxon 5116353

Milkweed Tussock Moth

Euchaetes egle

Also known as Milkweed Tiger Moth

Milkweed tussock moth caterpillars feed gregariously in high-density clusters during early instars, skeletonizing milkweed leaves before scattering as solitary larvae in later stages. Their bodies are covered in dense tufts of orange, black, and white setae that signal their toxic cardiac glycoside content to potential predators. Adult moths display greyish-buff wings and click ultrasonically with tymbal organs to deter echolocating bats at night.

CaterpillarToxicNocturnal
Milkweed Tussock Moth reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
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—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Common Milkweed
  • Swamp Milkweed
  • Indian Hemp Dogbane
Predators
  • Bats
  • Birds
  • Spiders
ThreatsPesticide use, habitat loss, and frequent mowing
HabitatsFields, meadows, prairies, roadsides, and gardens
Life span1 year total lifecycle; adults live 1–2 weeks
Classification
  1. OrderLepidoptera
  2. FamilyErebidae
  3. GenusEuchaetes
  4. SpeciesEuchaetes egle
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Larval hair tufts can cause mild skin irritation; observe without handling directly.
Why it is dangerous
Larval bristles contain mechanical irritants that can produce mild contact dermatitis upon direct skin contact.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for dense orange, black, and white tufts of hair covering the caterpillar body in toothbrush-like clusters.
What to do
Observe larvae on host plants without touching; use a leaf or gloved hands if relocation is necessary.
Responsible observation
  • Spotting Larvae: Look for skeletonized milkweed leaves in mid-to-late summer where early instars cluster.
  • Handling Caution: Wear gloves if moving caterpillars off paths, as hair tufts can irritate skin.
  • Night Watching: Use a blacklight near overgrown meadows in midsummer to attract adult moths.
Related species
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Found in Collections

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