The male Linden Looper Moth has a wingspan of approximately 1.5 inches and is variable in the amount of patterning on the forewings. The male’s broad forewing is tan to brown with a black post median line that bends outward, then back inward. It may have black distal spots. The hindwings are cream-colored. The wingless female has a mottled brown body and legs. The caterpillar has narrow black stripes on top and yellow on the sides. The head is orange-brown. The mature caterpillar is approximately 1.25 inches long.
This species is irruptive. It can be scarce in most years and numerous enough occasionally to cause defoliation of trees. It is well adapted for cold conditions. The caterpillars are active in early spring and adults emerge in fall, usually in October. This moth has been photographed in Fontenelle Forest in mid-October to early November.
Another common name is Winter Moth. The larvae eat the leaves of many shrubs and trees including basswood, ash, elm, oak, maple, hickory and American hornbeam. The pupa overwinters in a cell in the ground.
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