The adults are mostly white, often with a greenish tint on their wings. Antennae are lime green. The compound eyes are brown. They also have a light brown spot on both fore and hind wings. Females have thicker abdomens and thread-like antennae. Males have thinner abdomens and feathery (bipectinate) antennae, with which to sense the pheromones released by females. Unlike most moths, this moth rests with its wings held tightly compressed above its abdomen. Image “C” shows both sexes.
This moth is found in eastern US and Canada and is common in this area. Adults emerge in late June and July. The females lay about 250 eggs, usually on the undersides of leaves. The eggs survive through the winter. After hatching the next spring, the larvae, sometimes referred to as inchworms, pass through about 5 stages (instars) before pupation.
This species has done great damage to thousands of acres of shade trees in the east and has been controlled by insecticides.
Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Roland Barth.