This caterpillar is approximately 1 to 2 inches in length. The head is orange with black spots. It is banded black and white interspersed with orange bands and black spots. It has sparse, long white hair its entire length. The adult moth has a wingspan of approximately 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches. The forewings are black with two conspicuous pale yellow oval- shaped spots. The hindwings are also black with two showy white spots. The front and middle legs are covered with bright orange hair.
It is expected that this caterpillar is common in Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods in the summer. The caterpillar shown here was photographed in the Wetlands Learning Center garden in early July.
The larval foodplants are ampelopsis, grape and Virginia creeper. When disturbed, the larvae vomit an orange fluid.
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