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Digital Guide to Moth Identification

Erebidae 930146 – 8294   Dasychira vagans (Barnes & McDunnough, 1913)              Variable Tussock Moth

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Larva and Host Plants: Host familiy: Betulaceae Fagaceae Pinaceae Rosaceae Salicaceae Sapindaceae Ulmaceae.  Host genera: Abies Acer Alnus Amelanchier Betula Corylus Crataegus Fagus Larix Malus Picea Pinus Populus Prunus P...  Host extended: polyphagous on trees & shrubs (Forbes 1948); primarily on hardwoods (Crabo et al 2014).  (Kimberley & Douglas 2025) Similar Species: Pinned specimens of related species. (Hint: select View by Region on the related species page.) Synonymy: vagans (Barnes & McDunnough, 1913) (Olene) - MONA 1983: 8294 ssp. a. vagans (Barnes & McDunnough, 1913) (Olene) ssp. b. grisea (Barnes & McDunnough, 1913) (Olene)  willingi (Barnes & McDunnough, 1913) (Olene)

References (Caution: DNA barcoding at BOLD provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification; some BOLD specimens shown may not be sequenced.)

Barcode of Life (BOLD) - Caution: Identifications often erroneous; DNA barcode provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification; many specimens not sequenced. Ferguson, D. C., 1978. Moths of America North of Mexico, Fascicle 22.2: p. 29; pl. 3.19, 4.18-36, 5.1-13. order or free PDF Hall et al., 2021. The Moths of North Carolina - website (identification, habitats and life history) Powell, J. A. & P. A. Opler, 2009. Moths of Western North America, Pl. 49.13m; p. 275. Book Review and ordering Shropshire, K.J. & D.W. Tallamy, 2025. Lepidoptera of North America, north of Mexico: an annotated list containing geographic ranges and host-plant records. ZooKeys, 1261: 101-113; Suppl. 1. (PDF or read online) Species Page at BugGuide.Net Species Page at Mass Moths Species Page at Pacific Northwest Moths Species Page at iNaturalist

© Nelson Poirier © John Davis © Phil Huntley-Franck © Ken Childs

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© Jessica Durand (Quebec.ca) LG on Populus tremuloides © John G. Franclemont CUIC LG © John G. Franclemont CUIC LG © John G. Franclemont CUIC LG © John G. Franclemont CUIC LG © Canadian National Collection LG © Canadian National Collection LG

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