Comments for White Caterpillar with Brown Hairs (White-marked Tussock moth caterpillar)
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White Caterpillar with Brown Hairs (White-marked Tussock moth caterpillar)

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Thanks
by: Carol

Thanks for the info, Moni.
White-marked Tussock moth caterpillar
by: Moni

Carol
Your mystery caterpillar is a white-marked tussock. They are distinctively marked and are common in wooded areas of Eastern US. The caterpillars feed on a wide range of trees and shrubs(found one on my hibiscus a couple of weeks ago). The list of plants from David Wagner's book includes - birch, black locust, cherry, elm, hackberry, hickory, oak, rose, willow...fir, hemlock, larch, spruce and other conifers.
It overwinters in the egg stage. These eggs are laid in a froth-covered mass by wingless females.

It is a good thing to avoid the hair, it is known to cause allergic reactions, especially in areas of the body with sensitive skin like stomach, inner arms, etc.

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