Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1190002

Banded Tussock Moth or Pale Tiger Moth
Halysidota tessellaris

Observation date: September 21, 2018
Date notes: Very warm, humid, mostly overcast, but sun was shining when I noticed the caterpillar.
Submitted by: KLion
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: The caterpillar was still, surrounded by small ants, but holding firmly to the concrete block paver it was on. Around 7 pm I saw a large daddy long-legs over it pulling on it, and the spider eventually freed it from the pavement and dragged it away. Length of the caterpillar was about 3 cm from tip to tip of tufts.
Status: Resident
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: October 12, 2018
Coordinator notes: None.
Checklist region(s): United States, Virginia, Norfolk