Pale Tussock

Adventure step • Meet the species

Overview

The Pale Tussock (Calliteara pudibunda) is a fascinating moth belonging to the family Erebidae. This medium-sized moth has a wingspan of 4-6.5 centimeters and displays pronounced sexual dimorphism – females are considerably larger and paler than males. Males have grey-brown wings with darker cross-bands, while females are much paler, almost whitish with subtle patterns. Both sexes have characteristically hairy antennae, but males possess more distinctly feathered antennae which they use to detect pheromones from females. What truly makes the Pale Tussock famous is not the adult moth but its spectacular caterpillar. The larva is one of the most eye-catching caterpillars in the Nordic region with its yellow-green or pink coloration and four distinct tufts of yellow, red, or white hair that stick up like brushes from its back. The fifth and final tuft at the tail end is long and black, giving the caterpillar an unmistakable appearance. These hairs aren't just for show – they can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals, so it's best to admire them from a distance. The Pale Tussock undergoes complete metamorphosis during its life. After hatching from the egg, the larva spends several weeks feeding voraciously on leaves from various deciduous trees. When fully grown, usually in August or September, it spins a loose cocoon among leaves or in leaf litter where it pupates. The moth overwinters as a pupa and emerges the following spring, typically between April and June. Adult moths live only a few weeks and their main purpose is to reproduce. This species is common across much of Europe and extends eastward through temperate Asia to Japan. In the Nordic region, it occurs in southern and central Sweden, southern Norway, Denmark, and southern Finland. The Pale Tussock is a habitat generalist and can be found in deciduous forests, parks, gardens, and scrubland where its host plants are available.