Community identification
Milkweed Tussock Moth (Caterpillar or Small Moth)
Euchaetes egle
- Order & Family
- Lepidoptera, Erebidae
- Size
- Wingspan is approximately 32 to 40 mm
Natural Habitat
Fields, meadows, roadsides, and open areas where milkweed plants grow abundantly.
Diet & Feeding
Adults feed on nectar from milkweed and other flowers; caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed foliage.
Behavior Patterns
Active during the day and night. Adults and caterpillars sequester toxins from milkweeds to deter predators, and the bright coloration serves as aposematic warning.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits the ecosystem as a specialized pollinator of milkweed; poses no significant risk to humans, though caterpillars can sequester cardiac glycosides making them toxic to pets if ingested.