tussock moth

tussock moth
any of several moths of the family Lymantriidae, the larvae of which have characteristic tufts of hair on the body and feed on the leaves of various deciduous trees.
[1820-30]

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Typical member of the small European and New World lepidopteran family Liparidae (formerly Lymantriidae).

The large, hairy larvae of most species have hair tufts, or tussocks; many have stinging hairs. Several species, including the gypsy moth, browntail moth, satin moth, and nun moth, damage trees. The larvae feed on foliage, sometimes foraging from a silken tent or a colonial nest of webbed leaves. Larvae pupate in a cocoon attached to a tree branch or trunk. Adult females range from white to brown; some, such as the white-marked tussock moth, are wingless. See also moth.

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▪ insect
      any of a group of moths (order Lepidoptera), the common name for which is derived from the hair tufts, or tussocks, found on most larval forms. The family, which occurs in both Eurasia and the New World, includes several species that are destructive to shade and forest trees: the gypsy moth (q.v.; Lymantria dispar), browntail moth (Nygmia phaeorrhoea), satin moth (Stilpnotia salicis), and nun moth (Lymantria monacha).

      The large larvae are hairy, with many species having stinging hairs. Most feed on foliage of trees and shrubs, sometimes foraging daily from a silken tent or colonial nest of webbed leaves. The larvae of certain species overwinter in these nests, whereas others overwinter as eggs. Pupation occurs aboveground in cocoons attached to tree branches or trunks.

      The adults are medium-sized. Females range in colour from white to brown. Some, such as the white-marked tussock moth (Hemerocampa leucostigma), lack wings.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Tussock moth — Tussock Tus sock, n. [From {Tuz}.] [Written also {tussuck}.] 1. A tuft, as of grass, twigs, hair, or the like; especially, a dense tuft or bunch of grass or sedge. [1913 Webster] Such laying of the hair in tussocks and tufts. Latimer. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tussock moth — n. any of a family (Lymantriidae) of moths whose caterpillars are covered with long tufts of hair: many, as the gypsy moth, are destructive pests of certain trees …   English World dictionary

  • tussock moth — noun dull colored moth whose larvae have tufts of hair on the body and feed on the leaves of many deciduous trees • Syn: ↑lymantriid • Hypernyms: ↑moth • Hyponyms: ↑gypsy moth, ↑gipsy moth, ↑Lymantria dispar, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • tussock moth — noun a woodland moth whose adults and brightly coloured caterpillars both bear tufts of irritant hairs. [Family Lymantriidae: many species.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • tussock moth — /ˈtʌsək mɒθ/ (say tusuhk moth) noun any of various dull coloured moths (family Lymantriidae), as the painted applemoth, whose larvae are notorious pests of broadleaved trees …  

  • tussock moth — noun Date: 1826 any of numerous dull colored moths (family Lymantriidae) that usually have wingless females and larvae with long tufts of hair …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • tussock moth — Hemerocampa leukostigma …   Medical dictionary

  • Western tussock moth — Male Pair of mature caterpillars, early May …   Wikipedia

  • white-marked tussock moth — ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun : a tussock moth (Hemerocampa leucostigma) having larvae that sometimes defoliate various shade and fruit trees …   Useful english dictionary

  • Tussock — may refer to: Plants and ecology *Bunch grass *New Zealand tussock grasslands *Serrated Tussock ( Nassella trichotoma ) *Tussock (grass) *Tussock grassland *Tussock Grassland (Tanzania) Insects *Rusty Tussock Moth ( Orgyia antiqua ) *Western… …   Wikipedia

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