Field guide to exotic pests and diseases: White spotted tussock moth

Orgyia thyellina Butler 

 

Identification: eggs white-to-buff, laid in clusters (not covered by scales) about the size of a 10 cent coin. Young larvae black and very hairy; mature larvae about 30mm long with four distinctive white tufts of hair, orange stripe down each side, two spots on tail. Adult females have creamy white wings with dark spot, males smaller, grey-black with a similar spot.

Hosts: larvae feed on the foliage of urban trees and plants, horticultural plants, exotic and indigenous forest trees.

Distribution: China, Korea, Japan, Far Eastern Russia, Taiwan.

Detection:
Eggs and larvae: eggs laid randomly on or near food plants, forest products, shipping containers, cargo and ships’ structures; or on brown, felt-like cocoon from which female moth has emerged.
Adults: strong fliers, attracted to light.

Potential impact: absence of natural enemies could allow this species to become a serious pest of timber species and ornamentals.

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