The Spiny Oak-Slug Moth has a wingspan of about 1 3/8 inches. The forewing is brown with lime green patches in the median area, varying from large to almost absent. The midwestern form appears to have more green than the eastern form. The hindwing is tan to brown. This moth is very similar to E. nanina which occurs only in the southeast U.S. The mature caterpillar is 1 to 1.25 inches long. It is usually green, but may be yellow, orange or red. There are spines all over the body and legs. There are red spines along the sides at the front and near the rear. There is a pattern of scalloped blue lines on either side of the white mid-dorsal line.
The frequency of occurrence in Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods is not known. In 2012 it was commonly seen around the Fontenelle Nature Center in late spring, but had not been seen prior to that year. The moths are attracted to artificial lights.
The larval food is leaves of various deciduous trees including apple, basswood, cherry, maple, oak, redbud, sycamore and willow. There is one generation a year. Touching this spiny caterpillar (click here ) will result in very painful stings.
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