Butterflies, Moths, Dragonflies & Damselflies of Dayton, Ohio

Banded Tussock or Sycamore Tussock (Halysidota sp.). Adult moths of these two species can only be identified with dissection. However, the caterpillars look quite different and can easily be told apart. (See my caterpillar pages for photos.) Judging from the number of caterpillars I find, Banded Tussocks are the more common of the two species, but we do have Sycamore Tussocks in this area as well. 

Hickory Tussock. A very common species that flies from late April through June.

Hickory Tussock moth on my fingertip. 

Milkweed Tussock moth. This species has gorgeous caterpillars (see my caterpillar page for photos), but the drab gray moths are about as plain as you can get. Adults fly in June and July.

Another Banded Tussock or Sycamore Tussock (Halysidota sp.). I find many of the adults at my lights from late April through September (mostly in the summer months). 

Hickory Tussock moths are abundant at my black lights during their spring and early summer flight season. 

The abdomen of a Milkweed Tussock moth is a little more colorful than the drab gray wings.