Lophocampa maculata

Description

Lophocampa maculata (spotted tussock moth, mottled tiger or spotted halisidota) is a moth of the family Erebidae. It is found across Canada, the western parts of the United States, south in Appalachians to South Carolina and Kentucky. The wingspan is 35–45 mm. The moth flies from May to July; the larvae remain from July to September. There is one generation per year. The larvae feed on the leaves of poplar and willow, but also feed on alder, basswood, birch, maple and oak. Named "tussock moth" for the tufts of hair on the caterpillar. According to Wiktionary, a tussock is a tuft or clump of green grass or similar verdure, forming a small hillock.