Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 959925

Western Tussock Moth
Orgyia vetusta

Observation date: March 14, 2014
Submitted by: TNH
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: This caterpillar was spotted in the morning on the flower of a red rose named scentimental (floribunda). It was a sunny day, around 60 degrees fahrenheit. The photos were taken on a piece of white card stalk, the measurement of each square is 1cm. The first picture is from directly above the specimen and the second one is from the left side of the specimen.
Status: Resident
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: October 24, 2021
Coordinator notes: Highly variable as instars. See MPG for some good photos (you'll have to scroll until you find O. vetusta): http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/larva.php?plate=05.0&page=5&sort=h JRains
Checklist region(s): United States, California, San Diego County