Monday, March 26, 2012

Tussock Moth Invasion!

The first order of business is to apologize for the quality of the pictures. My son took them at his college apartment. He does not have a high quality camera in his phone. But, one day he went out to his car and the caterpillars in the first two pictures were EVERYWHERE! Literally hundreds of them! They were even all over his car. The second two photos are of the cocoons. The third picture is of the cocoons - again HUNDREDS - around the screen door on his patio. The fourth is an individual cocoon.

I have identified these as the Tussock Moth. I am going to try to link to a moth expert that I have found online and see whether we can find out why they SWARMED like that and whether that is normal Tussock Moth behavior. By the way, this is my second son, Richard. He is in Tampa, Florida, and his apartments have Live Oak trees with Spanish Moss and azalea bushes. (I am listing this information in case that helps explain why so many were here.) I am participating in Nature Notes at Rambling Woods, because I know Michelle will think this is cool - LOL! And, because I want to share this with everyone and hear theories on THE GREAT MOTH INVASION.

By the way, isn't it a weird coincidence that I JUST did that post for Nature Notes about the other moth cocoon that I had found in Ohio?



On a fairly unrelated note - I thought Nature Notes users would like this - I was on Google Earth and right on their main page you push "Connect" and then there are buttons to push to take a street level TOUR OF THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS IN JAPAN!!! I did it - its cool!! :) >

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15 comments:

  1. eileeninmdMarch 28, 2012 at 1:27 AM

    Wow, I can not imagine see that many moths, caterpillars and cocoons? That would be neat and creepy at the same time. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. LibbyMarch 28, 2012 at 6:13 AM

    EXACTLY! When I look at the third picture, its cool - but, there are so many its like something from a horror movie - LOL!

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  3. LindaMarch 28, 2012 at 6:52 AM

    interesting photos

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  4. Rambling WoodsMarch 28, 2012 at 8:32 AM

    Hi Libby..you can always post a photo to BugGuide where volunteers try to ID. I did find this pertaining to Florida...

    http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/foltz/eny3541/Tussock/Orgyia.htm

    Tussock moths do have those hairs that can be irritating to skin....

    Great Nature Notes post...

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    1. LibbyMarch 28, 2012 at 8:48 AM

      Oh, thanks, I will take a look! Yep, my son already found out about the irritants(!) LOL!

      Delete
  5. CarverMarch 28, 2012 at 8:37 AM

    Interesting to see the moth life cycle.

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    1. LibbyMarch 28, 2012 at 8:48 AM

      When my son told me about this, I DEMANDED pictures!!

      Delete
  6. Nature RamblesMarch 28, 2012 at 11:52 AM

    That must have been amazing to see. One or two caterpillars, that's okay with me. But hundreds? I doubt whether I'd have been able to take a shot!

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    1. LibbyMarch 28, 2012 at 12:18 PM

      I talked to him last night. Apparently they were dropping out of oak trees by the dozens!! Lol!

      Delete
  7. AnonymousMarch 28, 2012 at 8:26 PM

    Nice bit of natural cycles. Good captures.

    I've been to Japan during cherry blossom season....incredible is the understatement.

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    1. LibbyMarch 29, 2012 at 1:29 PM

      That is my understanding...I wish I could go to Japan - and I will some day - but for now, I have the Google Earth tour - lol!

      Delete
  8. AnonymousMarch 28, 2012 at 9:19 PM

    Amazing infestation. Do they do any damage?

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    1. LibbyMarch 29, 2012 at 1:31 PM

      Well, what I am reading is that they can eat a LOT of leaves but don't usually kill trees. And, the caterpillars and fibers in the cocoons are skin irritants. My son found that out first-hand(!)

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  9. CelesteMarch 29, 2012 at 2:51 PM

    We get them round here sometimes but certainly not in those numbers. I love the caterpillars - so ostentatious! But the actual moth is a bit of a let down in comparison :)

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