Species name: Orgyia vetusta
Common name: Western Tussock Moth
Range: California north to British Columbia; east to portions of Idaho and western Nevada.
More information: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/nr/fid/fidls/wtussock.pdf
More information: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/nr/fid/fidls/wtussock.pdf
This caterpillar has the costume of a dancing dragon at a Chinese parade.
Be sure to see an image of what it will ultimately become (see especially the second image on the left, here). My wife says, "Look at that moth--it's evil! No way am I going to let you keep that caterpillar."
This was my first encounter with this species. I found this caterpillar on a leaf of Toyon at a shopping complex about three miles inland from the coast (Laguna Niguel/Dana Point area).
A local biologist I've been corresponding with wrote, "The genus name tells you how they mate. ;7) And they say scientists have no sense of humor...".
Well, they stand corrected!
Be sure to see an image of what it will ultimately become (see especially the second image on the left, here). My wife says, "Look at that moth--it's evil! No way am I going to let you keep that caterpillar."
This was my first encounter with this species. I found this caterpillar on a leaf of Toyon at a shopping complex about three miles inland from the coast (Laguna Niguel/Dana Point area).
A local biologist I've been corresponding with wrote, "The genus name tells you how they mate. ;7) And they say scientists have no sense of humor...".
Well, they stand corrected!
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