Family: Arctiidae, Tiger Moths view all from this family

Description Wingspan 1 7/8-2" (48-50 mm). Thorax and fore wings above white with 4-6 black dots on front margin, with further speckling elsewhere. Hind wings brownish yellow (male) or white (female). In both sexes, hind wings have 3 black spots near outer margin, middle spot largest. Caterpillar, to 2 1/2" (65 mm), is black covered with dense, long rusty-red hair.

Life Cycle Caterpillar feeds on herbaceous plants, including cord grasses in salt marshes.

Flight June-July.

Habitat Fields, pastures, and marshes.

Range Throughout North America, except northern Canada.

Discussion Because these caterpillars often feed on grasses in salt marshes, they are sometimes called "Salt Marsh Caterpillars."