Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1063579

Banded Tussock Moth or Pale Tiger Moth
Halysidota tessellaris

Observation date: September 02, 2015
Submitted by: cvbritton
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Seen on the edge of the birdbath in our backyard. Rural neighborhood; very open. Lots of trees and flowering plants in the yard. Open fields and new-growth woods on our property. Cloudy-bright morning. Caterpillar was walking around rim of bath bowl; couldn't seem to figure out how to "dismount". Not clear where it came from or how it managed to get on the birdbath. Closest tree is a large multistem serviceberry which partially overhangs the deck holding the birdbath. We moved it to a bushy area under this tree.
Status: Resident
Verified by: lisald100
Verified date: September 06, 2015
Coordinator notes: None.
Checklist region(s): United States, New York, Jefferson County