Tussock moth larvae are very colorful, some say beautiful. They emerge in late spring and their life cycle can be over by the end of summer. Tussock moth larvae damage can be significant. Similar to oak moth larvae, they consume plant leaves. Healthy plants can tolerate a defoliation. Stressed plants need to be treated. The cause of stress should be determined and the trees and shrubs put on a Plant Health Care program if deemed necessary.

We see the Western Tussock Moth activity mostly on oak and fruit trees. They lay eggs in the fall which overwinter until springtime. They hatch out and begin feeding on leaves. Then they pupate on the bark of trees in large, hairy brown cocoons. In the central California coastal areas they usually only have one generation. Occasionally two.

An interesting fact: Tussock moth caterpillars can release long strands of silk and float on wind currents. They use their numerous small hairs to assist them.