Moths of North Carolina

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Orgyia leucostigma (J.E. Smith, 1797) - White-marked Tussock Moth

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Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Noctuoidea

Family:
Erebidae

Subfamily:
Lymantriinae

Tribe:
Orgyiini

P3 Number:
930168

MONA Number:
8316.00

Comments: One of ten species in this genus that occur in North America, four of which have been recorded in North Carolina.

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)

Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD

Technical Description, Adults: Forbes (1948); Ferguson (1978)

Technical Description, Immature Stages: Ferguson (1978); Wagner (2005)

Adult Markings: Males are primarily grayish brown with a fairly smooth appearance and lacking strong contrasts between the median area and basal and subterminal areas. The antemedian and postmedian are both fairly narrow and black. The postmedian tends to be more pointed opposite the discal spot than broadly rounded as in definita (Ferguson, 1978), and runs more obliquely to the inner margin rather than transversely as in detrita (Forbes, 1948). The white spot in the tornal area is usually conspicuous, which helps distinguish this species from detrita, where it is usually missing. Leucostigma is distinguished from definita by its grayer coloration, lack of strong contrasts, thinner lines, and lack of prominent dashes or streaks in the subterminal area. Females have only rudimentary wings, similar to the females of Phigalia species; there are no known characters that allow the females of our Orgyia species to be distinguished from one another (Ferguson, 1978).

Wingspan: 28 mm (Forbes, 1948)

Adult Structural Features: Orgyia species have a single dorsal tuft on their abdomens, whereas Dasychira have two. Adults lack functional mouthparts.

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.

Immatures and Development: Larvae have bright red heads and yellow bodies with a well-defined mid-dorsal black stripe, a combination not shared by the other species of Orgyia.

Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Occurs statewide.

County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.


Flight Dates: High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft. Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft. Piedmont (Pd) Coastal Plain (CP) Click on graph to enlarge
Immature Dates: High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft. Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft. Piedmont (Pd) Coastal Plain (CP) Click on graph to enlarge
Flight Comments: Adults appear to be continuously present throughout the growing season within the Coastal Plain but possibly has two flights in the Mountains.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Nearly ubiquitous in natural habitats as well as in residential neighborhoods.

Larval Host Plants: Larvae are highly polyphagous, feeding on both conifers and hardwood trees, as well as on herbaceous plants (Ferguson, 1978). In North Carolina, larvae have been recorded feeding on Red Maple (Acer rubrum), Box-elder (A. negundo), False Nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica), American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), hickory (Carya sp.), hackberry (Celtis sp.), American Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), American Beech (Fagus grandifolia), Carolina Silverbells (Halesia carolina), Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), Common Apple (Malus domestica), Common Waxmyrtle (Morella cerifera), American Hop-hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum), American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), White Oak (Quercus alba), Overcup Oak (Q. lyrata), Water Oak (Q. nigra), Willow Oak (Q. phellos), Northern Red Oak (Q. rubra), rose (Rosa sp.), and Coastal Plain Willow (Salix caroliniana). - View

Observation Methods: Our records all come from 15 watt UV light traps. Adults do not feed, so do not come to bait or to flowers. Larvae are distinctive and should be looked for on low-growing trees and shrubs. The hair of all Lymantriinae larvae are possibly urticating, however, and should be handled with care (Ferguson, 1978).

Wikipedia

See also Habitat Account for General Mixed Habitats

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 SNR [S5]

State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.

Comments: With its nearly ubiquitous occurrence throughout the state and use of nearly all natural and many artificially altered habitats, this species appears to be one of the most secure in the state.

Photo Gallery for Orgyia leucostigma - White-marked Tussock Moth

282 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-10-21 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Marilyn Westphal on 2025-10-18 Henderson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Becky Elkin, Marilyn Westphal and Nora Murdock on 2025-10-18 Henderson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Marilyn Westphal on 2025-10-08 Henderson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-10-06 Rowan Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-10-02 Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-10-02 Richmond Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2025-10-01 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-09-22 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-09-22 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2025-09-11 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George on 2025-09-10 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-09-09 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Michael P Morales on 2025-08-29 Cumberland Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Michael P Morales on 2025-08-29 Cumberland Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-08-27 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Allison Garton on 2025-08-20 Moore Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-08-18 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Michael P Morales on 2025-08-15 Cumberland Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Michael P Morales on 2025-08-15 Cumberland Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-08-11 Ashe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-31 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George on 2025-06-26 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2025-05-24 Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Jim Petranka, Becky Elkin on 2025-05-24 Richmond Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2025-05-23 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Brian Bockhahn on 2025-05-09 Cumberland Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2025-05-09 Cumberland Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Katie Keyes on 2025-04-28 Union Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Katie Keyes on 2025-04-28 Union Co. Comment: