tussock moth

American

noun

any of several moths of the family Lymantriidae, the larvae of which have characteristic tufts of hair on the body and feed on the leaves of various deciduous trees.

tussock moth British

noun

any of various pale or dull-coloured moths of the family Lymantriidae (or Laparidae ), the hairy caterpillars of which are pests of many trees See also gipsy moth brown-tail moth goldtail moth

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of tussock moth

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The creature — not to be confused with the white-marked tussock moth — has sharp barbs that stick to skin and typically result in a rash or irritation.

From Fox News

Enlarged, the banded tussock moth takes on a reticulated wing pattern, and its thorax is graced with fine turquoise lines.

From Washington Post

The fuzzy green caterpillars, which turn into tussock moths in July, have caused trees near Colorado Springs, Boulder and Larkspur to wilt and turn brown.

From Washington Times

The white hickory tussock moth caterpillar is to blame.

From US News

The tussock moth caterpillar comes in an array of brilliant colors.

From National Geographic

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023