The body of the Ruddy Dagger Moth is variably colored green, tan or orange with voluminous white hairs. Most caterpillars have black hair tufts, but some have white or tan. The head capsule is usually black, but can alternately be red. The larva grows to 1.75 inches. This caterpillar was identified by volunteer experts at BugGuide. The adult moth has a wingspan of about 1.75 inches. The forewing is light gray-brown with double Antemedial and Postmedial lines. The reniform spot is gray with a dark gray ring around it. The hindwing is whitish with gray shading.
The frequency of occurrence is not known. This caterpillar was found in Fontenelle Forest in early June 2014. The adult moth was photographed in Fontenelle Forest in early August 2012.
The larval food is Hackberry leaves. The larva makes a pupal cell in soft wood or makes a cocoon in leaf litter if wood is not available. This caterpillar appears to be a mimic of Tussock moths.
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