Quick Facts

Scientific name:  Dasychira pudibunda

Size:  Wingspan approximately 60mm

Distribution:  Found in England and Wales

Months seen:  May and June.  The caterpillars are found between July and October

Habitat:  Woods, parks and gardens

Food:  The adult moths don't feed, but the caterpillars eat oak, birch, lime and hop leaves

Special features:  Pale Tussocks are pale grey coloured moths with bands of darker grey on the hind wings.  The front pair of legs are very hairy and face forwards when resting.  The males have feathery antennae which can detect the scent of a female from several hundred metres away.  A dark coloured form of the moth is sometimes found around industrial areas.

The hairy green and yellow caterpillars have a black band around each body segment.  There are four tufts of yellowish hair on the dorsal area and a tuft of red-brown hair at the tail end.  The brightly coloured hairs protect them from birds, and other predators.  The only other similar looking caterpillar is the Dark Tussock (Dicallomera fascelina).  As it's name suggests the Dark Tussock Moth larva has dark tufts of hair on the dorsal area.

The caterpillars of Pale Tussock moths were commonly known as 'hop dogs' by hop pickers who frequently found them among the crops.  They're less likely to be found in hop fields these days due to the use of pesticides.

Related Pages

• UK Safari Moths Section
• UK Safari Hop Fact File
• Identify other wildlife
• Free Newsletter