Kebnat
INSECTS

Variable Tussock Moth

Dasychira vagans

Insects
Native
Variable Tussock Moth, Adult
Variable Tussock Moth, Caterpillar
Variable Tussock Moth, Male

Butterfly or moth in the family Erebidae. Feeds on plants.

There are 19 observations of Variable Tussock Moth in Québec, mostly in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and Laurentides, and it has been reported in 5 of the 17 regions. They peak in July and become rare from September to May.

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Where to see it

  1. Abitibi-Témiscamingue10
  2. Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean5
  3. Laurentides2
  4. Mauricie1
  5. Outaouais1

What the caterpillar eats

Paper birchBetula papyrifera
TOXIC
Balsam poplarPopulus balsamifera
American elmUlmus americana
Quaking aspenPopulus tremuloides
Jack pinePinus banksiana
Smooth roseRosa blanda
Balsam firAbies balsamea
TamarackLarix laricina
Black sprucePicea mariana
White oakQuercus alba
Carolina roseRosa carolina
Silver mapleAcer saccharinum

Similar species

White-marked Tussock MothOrgyia leucostigma
Powdered DaggerAcronicta impleta
Definite Tussock MothOrgyia definita
Northern Pine Tussock MothDasychira plagiata
Banded Tussock MothHalysidota tessellaris
Streaked Tussock MothDasychira obliquata
Angulose ProminentPeridea angulosa
Rusty Tussock MothOrgyia antiqua