Bug FAQSchaus' Tussock Moth
Halysidota schausi · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Erebidae
Schaus' tussock moth belongs to the Erebidae family and is found from Texas and Mexico through Central and parts of South America, as well as on Martinique and the Lesser Antilles. Its larvae feed on the plant Cestrum nocturnum.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Halysidota schausi is a moth in the family Erebidae.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It lives from Texas and Mexico down through Central America to Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru, and also on Martinique and the Lesser Antilles.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
The caterpillars feed on Cestrum nocturnum.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults are mainly on the wing in autumn.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
In its native range it occurs in Texas and Mexico and continues through Central America to Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru. It is also native to Martinique and the Lesser Antilles.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 1 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Texas.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
When are the adult moths active?
Adults are mostly seen flying during the autumn season.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Erebidae)
Spongy MothLymantria disparDamages trees, gardens or crops
Fall Webworm MothHyphantria cuneaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Brown-tail MothEuproctis chrysorrhoeaCan irritate skin
Isabella Tiger MothPyrrharctia isabella
Virginian Tiger MothSpilosoma virginicaCan irritate skin
Salt Marsh MothEstigmene acreaDamages trees, gardens or cropsSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halysidota_schausi
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-24 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-24.