Lophocampa caryae, commonly known as the hickory tiger moth or the hickory tussock moth, is a species of
moth in the family
Erebidae, found widely across eastern North America. Its hairy
caterpillars feed principally on
hickory,
pecan and
walnut, as well as various other trees and plants. The larvae are mostly white, with black tufts and long black hair. Contact with their microscopically barbed hairs can cause
contact dermatitis. The species has one generation annually, with adults typically flying during May and June. This
L. caryae caterpillar was photographed by the
Grand River in
Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.
Photograph credit: The Cosmonaut