The rusty tussock moth, also known as Orgyia antiqua, is part of the Lymantriidae family, which is a group of moths with over 2,500 known species. These moths are famous for having hairy, colorful caterpillars. The Rusty Tussock Moth (Orgyia antiqua), also known as the Vapourer Moth, is native to Europe but can now be found throughout North America and Europe, as well as parts of Africa and Asia.
Whitemarked tussock moth, Orgyia (=Hemerocampa) leucostigma (J. E.Smith) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), caterpillar. Photo by Drees. Orgyia is a genus of tussock moths of the family Erebidae.
orgyia antiqua caterpillar, The genus was described by Ochsenheimer in 1810. The species are cosmopolitan, except for the Neotropical realm. [1][2][3] The male flies during the day. Its palpi are short, porrect (extending forward), and heavily fringed with hair. There are three species of white-marked tussock moths, Orgyia detrita, Orgyia leucostigma, and Orgyia definita, found across the eastern United States.
orgyia antiqua caterpillar, Orgyia is Greek for a unit of measurement “the length between outstretched arms.” White-marked Tussock Moth Orgyia leucostigma (J E Smith, 1797) Family: Erebidae Subfamily: Lymantriinae Guide to the European Cocoa Tussock Moth (Orgyia Postica). Learn about their lifecycle, habitat, what they eat, and whether they are dangerous. From Greek orgyia (οργυια, from ορεγειν stretch out) meaning "the length of the outstretched arms", a fathom (1) (2), referring to the insect's habit of extending the forelegs.
