Banded Tussock Moth,
Halysidota tessellaris, a member of the Arctiidae family, or the Tiger, Lichen, and Wasp moths.
A few interesting facts about the Banded Tussock Moth (from "Tiger Moths and Wooly Bears" edited by William E. Conner).
- Caterpillars often rests and feed in conspicuous places, so they are probably distasteful to birds.
- Caterpillars eat their molted skins, including the hair (setea), possibly to retain toxic compounds they have obtained from feeding.
- Caterpillars incorporate their hairs into their coccoons, presumably for further protection.
- Adults feed on certain plants containing PAs (pyrrolizidine alkaloids, toxic stuff) that are used in the production of pheremones used during mating (mostly female moths).
- They do this by regurgitating on the plants and then drinking the fluid which contains PAs dissolved from the plant tissue.
- Word of the day: pharmacophagy (meaning literally drug eating). Many members of the Artiidae practice pharmacophagy and use the ingested chemicals for defensive or mating purposes.
