Milkweed Tussock Moth Caterpillar

Fields, meadows, roadsides, and prairies where milkweed plants grow across North America.

Herbivorous; feeds primarily on milkweed leaves (Asclepias spp.) and occasionally dogbane.

Gregarious in early instars, feeding together in large groups before dispersing in later instars. They sequester cardiac glycosides from milkweed, making them toxic to predators, advertised by their bright warning coloration.

Benefits include serving as native pollinators in adulthood and contributing to biodiversity. Risks are minimal to humans, but their hairs (setae) can cause mild skin irritation or contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.