Bug FAQSpotted Tussock Moth
Lophocampa maculata · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Erebidae
Also called: Yellow-Spotted Tiger Moth
The spotted tussock moth has a wingspan of about 35 to 45 mm and its caterpillars show distinct color patterns, such as white bodies with orange dorsal spots or yellow bodies with black heads and tails. Adults fly from May to July, while the caterpillars are present from July to September, completing one generation each year.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
The moth’s wingspan ranges from 35 to 45 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It lives across Canada, the western United States, the Appalachian region down to South Carolina and Kentucky, and also in southeastern Alaska.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults are on the wing from May to July; larvae appear from July to September, passing through five growth stages and producing one generation per year.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
The moth is active in the late spring and early summer, May through July.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its native range matches its habitat: Canada, western U.S., Appalachians to the southeast, and southeastern Alaska.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
Although it belongs to the tiger moth family, it is often called a tussock moth because its caterpillars have tufts of hair.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 37 of 51 states and DC. Most records: California, Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, Montana, Minnesota, Michigan.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in Canada; native in United States. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
Do spotted tussock moth caterpillars damage trees?
Yes, the larvae feed on the leaves of many tree species and can cause defoliation.
Source: Wikipedia
When can I expect to see adult spotted tussock moths?
Adults are typically seen flying from May through July.
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 acreaSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lophocampa_maculata
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-22 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.