This caterpillar grows to a length of approximately 1 5/8 inches. It is covered with stiff, branched spines over the body and head. The ground color is variable and can be either yellow, white, green or black. Pale individuals often have a broad, dark subdorsal stripe. The abdomen sometimes has red spots above the spiracles (photo A). The spines are harmless to the touch.
This is a common species in Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods. The host plants are nettles, elms and hops.
The adult butterfly has a wingspan of 1 3/4 – 2 inches and has 2 color forms. The summer form is orange with brown spotting on the forewings and mostly dark brown on the hindwings. The winter form is more orange overall with brown and orange spots, and the wings and tails are outlined with a narrow lavendar band. Both forms have the silver comma mark below on the hindwing which is usually clubbed at both ends.
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