The Pine Tussock Moth caterpillar feeds twice during its lifetime - in late summer and again the following spring.
Photo: USDA Forest Service Archive, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Pine Tussock Moth larva (Dasychira grisefacta)
Predictably, the Pine Tussock Moth (Dasychira pinicola) feeds on pine foliage, along with other coniferous trees like spruce. It prefers the tender needles of jack pine, and during years of high caterpillar populations, entire stands of jack pines may be defoliated. The Pine Tussock Moth is native to North America, but still a species of concern to forest managers.
The caterpillars emerge in summer months. Like the Satin Moth, the Pine Tussock Moth caterpillar takes a break from feeding to spin a hibernation web, and stays within this silk sleeping bag until the following spring. The caterpillar finishes feeding and molting once warm weather returns, pupating in June.
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