identify this caterpiller
Posted by Susan Bowers on August 28, 2006
Q: I don't have a picture but it was found south east of Madison WI in farm country low meadow near a stream with grass banks and cottonwood trees on 8/27/06. 4 cm long anout 0.7 cm wide not including the fuzzy parts. Large black head, lemon yellow fairly dense fuzz with 2 pairs of longer black fuzz tufts diverging but arising from same area, both on anterior half of critter about 1 cm apart and 1 similar black fuzzy tuft posterior.
Habitat: field/meadow
State: Wisconsin
Habitat: field/meadow
A: Sounds to me like you've seen one of the Tussock Moths (family Liparidae). Their caterpillars are often seen in late summer and have lots of tufts of hair on their bodies. Although Tussock Moth caterpillars are quite impressive, the adult moths are rather dull looking. I can't be sure of the exact one you have without a photo. These caterpillars feed on a variety of tree species and if in large enough numbers, can do quite a bit of damage. Thanks for asking.
John Wiessinger ( August 30, 2006)