Tussock << TUHS uhk >> moth makes up a family whose caterpillars have tussocks (tufts) of hair along the back. These hair tufts are often brightly colored. The caterpillars may also have distinct stripes on the back. The adult moths develop only dull colors.
Several species (kinds) of tussock moths live in the United States. The spongy moth and browntail moth were brought to the United States from Europe. Their caterpillars have done much damage to New England trees. The white-marked tussock moth is common in the eastern United States. The female has no wings.
The caterpillars, which are the moth larvae, damage trees by eating the leaves. The caterpillars often destroy whole orchards and forests. One method of control has been to import beetles that eat the caterpillars.
