Just heard back from BAMONA. My Tussock Moth is the Fir Tussock Moth which doesn't eat firs but eats oaks and cypress. For more than you ever wanted to know about Tussock Moths, check out this link to UF:
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/crea... There's some good info that applies to all caterpillars, too. Like parasites and the virus they get that causes them to die in that pose where they hang by their prolegs. I see that a lot at the museum.
And the other guy is a Forest Tent Caterpillar Moth. I thought I looked it up once and that it was some kind of tent caterpillar. So I'm learning! Although, apparently they don't build tents. Who is naming these species!!?? For more than you wanted to know about them, here's UF again:
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/crea... This article also includes a picture of a caterpillar that has succumbed to that virus. At least I know what does that now. I figured it was some kind of disease but now I can tell people it's caused by "a nuclear polyhedrus virus" and sound all science-y.
