Banded Tussock Moth is common and attractively patterned medium-sized moth. It is supposed to be indistiguishable from the Sycamore Tussock Moth (Halysidota harrisii) without dissection, but since there were no sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) in the vicinity of these photos, these are most likely Halysidota tessellaris. Caterpillars of Halysidota tessellaris feed on various trees, including Alnus, Betula, Carya, Corylus, Fraxinus, Juglans, Liriodendron, Populus, Quercus, Salix, and Ulmus.

Carroll Co., VA 6/13/09.

Carroll Co., VA 7/1/06.

Carroll Co., VA 7/3/05.

Carroll Co., VA 7/4/07.

Carroll Co., VA 7/13/07.

Carroll Co., VA 7/14/07.

Madison Co., NC 7/27/12

Durham Co., NC 8/23/2013

Caterpillars have distinctive tufts, or "tussocks".

Carroll Co., VA 9/3/05.

Alleghany Co., NC 9/22/07.

Carroll Co., VA 9/24/06.