Integrated Pest Management Guide

RUSTY TUSSOCK MOTH, Orgyia antigua (L.)

Pest Status: This pest has caused economic damage to localized areas of flood-pick farms in Delta, British Columbia.

Life cycle and feeding habits: Young larvae hatching in the spring are 4 - 7 mm (1/4 - 3/8 inch) long, while mature larvae are around 3 cm (1.25 inches) long. The larvae are very colourful and distinctive with two long dark tufts behind their head. Larvae have three pairs of front legs and five pairs of hind legs. They feed on woody plants. The female moth does not fly. Moths emerge in mid-summer, then mate and lay eggs that overwinter. There is only one generation per year. Cranberry beds become infested by windborne young larvae which disperse on long silk threads from adjacent forests. The long fine body hairs allow larvae to be carried by air currents for as much as 500 metres (1600 feet). Infestations in cranberry beds are patchy and may occur in the same area year after year.

Monitoring: Larvae are usually detected during monitoring for second-generation fireworm. To sample for older larvae, sweeps should be done at night. Headlands and ditch vegetation may be a source of crawling larvae. It is recommended to watch for outbreaks in surrounding forests or tree stands. Early detection is important, because most damage is done by mature larvae.

Control: There are no insecticides registered for control of this pest in cranberry. Insecticides applied with a boom or a backpack sprayer to target second-generation blackheaded fireworm larvae may also reduce the numbers of rusty tussock moth larvae.
 
 

Rusty tussock moth male	Rusty tussock moth female

Rusty tussock moth larva

• Top of page
• Return to IPM Guide Index Page
• Return to BCCGA Home Page

©2000 Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada