Florida Tussock Moth

Habitat:

Range seems to be along southern border of US from California to Florida; also found in the Caribbean. Seen in parks near wooded areas and hammocks. All caterpillars I've seen have been on Jamaican Nettletree (Trema micrantha)

Notes:

There were about 15 of these guys on this plant at the park this morning. (Thus all pictures are not the exact same individual) These seem to be medium grown and still looked very black and white. I've seen larger ones that are mostly light brown. (see link below). The fifth photo shows one with its tuffs seemingly wet and clumped together (you also get a better look at its orange head) Not sure if it was "wet" from yesterday's rains or if they look like this when they are freshly shed. The last photo show a couple of much smaller ones on a leaf. Larger Brown one: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/832...