White spotted tussock moth (male)
Orgyia thyellina Butler
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lymantriidae
Size range
- Medium–sized moth, wingspan of male 26 mm
Distribution
- From northern Asia
- Found in Auckland’s eastern suburbs in 1996
- Apparently eradicated by spray programme at that time
Life History
- Some females have vestigial wings and do not fly
- Pest of many forest and horticultural trees. Caterpillars eat foliage
