Hag Moth – Phobetron pithecium

Hag Moth – Phobetron pithecium Common Name: Hag Moth  Latin Name: Phobetron pithecium Appearance: The Hag Moth has a wingspan of 1.5-2 inches and is grey-brown with irregular white and black markings. The caterpillar has a distinctive humpbacked appearance and is covered in long, soft hair-like setae that can cause skin irritation.

• Eggs:The eggs of the Hag Moth are laid in clusters on the underside of leaves and are round, white, and flattened.
• Pupae:The Hag Moth’s pupae are brown and formed in a cocoon made of silk and setae.
• Larvae:The larvae of the Hag Moth are humpbacked and covered in long, soft hair-like setae that can cause skin irritation. They feed on tree species, including oak, hickory, and pecan.
• Adults:The adult Hag Moth does not provide and has a short lifespan, during which it mates and lays eggs.

Host plants: The larvae of the Hag Moth feed on a variety of tree species, including oak, hickory, and pecan.  Territory: The Hag Moth is found throughout the eastern United States.  Damages caused by Hag Moth: The setae of the Hag Moth caterpillar can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in humans. Heavy defoliation by the larvae can cause reduced growth and vigour in host trees. Life history and habitat: The Hag Moth emerges as an adult in the late summer, mates, and lays eggs on the underside of leaves. The eggs hatch into larvae, which feed on the leaves of host plants, growing through several instars before pupating in a cocoon made of silk and setae. The adult Hag Moth does not provide and has a short lifespan, during which it mates and lays eggs. The Hag Moth is found throughout the eastern United States and can cause reduced growth and vigour in host trees through heavy defoliation by the larvae. The setae of the Hag Moth caterpillar can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in humans.