This very large caterpillar, up to 4 inches long, comes in a surprising array of colors, from green, to cinnamon, to charcoal. But all show two prominent sets of spiny horns at their front ends, and at both ends of their bodies in the early instars. They feed on a variety of host plants, to include oak, basswood (American Linden), and elm. The adults, with a wing span of 6 inches and more, do not feed; they only live long enough to mate. The females place 2-5 large eggs on the leaves of their host plants.
The abundance of these moths at our two nature centers is yet unknown, but there certainly is a good variety of hosts trees available. The adults are active at night from June to August, when they are attracted to light sources.
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