Banded Tussock Moth

Description:

The wings are yellowish-white. The forewings have bands of beige edged in faint black across them. The body is 'hairy' and yellow. The thorax has blue-green lines on the upper sides. Adults are attracted to decaying plants that have pyrrolizidine alkaloids (Krasnof and Dussourd, 1989). They regurgitate on them, then drink the fluids to acquire these defensive chemicals.Wikipedia

Habitat:

Western NC mountains

Notes:

Caterpillars are covered all over in long, hairlike setae, in tufts. These vary in colour from yellowish and orange to dark gray. Extra long 'hair pencils' of white, black, and/or orange occur at both the front and rear of the caterpillar. The head capsule is bright orange.Wikipedia