Orgyia leucostigma
The genus name Orgyia is from the ancient Greek word ὄργυια, órgyia - 'outstretched arms'. So named because, when at rest, the moth stretches forward its forelegs like arms.
The larvae are brightly colored, with tufts of hair-like setae, about 6 cm long. The head is bright red and the body has yellow and orange dots, with a black stripe along the middle of the back. Four white toothbrush-like tufts stand out from the back, and a gray-brown hair pencil is at the hind end. There’s a theory that the four white tufts mimic the external cocoons of parasitic wasps. Touching the hairs sets off an allergic reaction in many humans.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orgyia_leucostigma
Central Park, Ormond Beach. Florida, USA
www.alltrails.com/trail/us/florida/ormond-beach-central-p...
Orgyia leucostigma
The genus name Orgyia is from the ancient Greek word ὄργυια, órgyia - 'outstretched arms'. So named because, when at rest, the moth stretches forward its forelegs like arms.
The larvae are brightly colored, with tufts of hair-like setae, about 6 cm long. The head is bright red and the body has yellow and orange dots, with a black stripe along the middle of the back. Four white toothbrush-like tufts stand out from the back, and a gray-brown hair pencil is at the hind end. There’s a theory that the four white tufts mimic the external cocoons of parasitic wasps. Touching the hairs sets off an allergic reaction in many humans.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orgyia_leucostigma
Central Park, Ormond Beach. Florida, USA
www.alltrails.com/trail/us/florida/ormond-beach-central-p...