This caterpillar reaches a length of approximately 1 1/2 inches. It has long, bushy apricot-colored hairs around the head and dense apricot-colored tufts on the first 3 segments and the last segment of the body. The colors are extremely variable in this species. The one shown here has rosy colored markings on a black and cream speckled background. The adult moth has a wingspan of 2 to 2 1/2 inches. The forewing is a powdery gray with black and white spots and lines. The hindwing is a plain yellowish gray.
The frequency of occurrence of this species is not currently known. The individual shown here was photographed in mid-September on Oak Trail in Fontenelle Forest.
This caterpillar seems to mimic a tussock caterpillar in having tufts and in arching its first 2 abdominal segments upward which helps to more prominently display the tufts. Mimicry is thought to be rare in caterpillars. Favorite foodplants are hickory and walnut, but ash, dogwood, elm, oak and willow are also used.
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