Great Leopard Moth

Natural Habitat

Woodlands, farmlands, and suburban gardens across North America.

Diet & Feeding

Adults do not eat; caterpillars (Giant Woolly Bears) eat a variety of broad-leaf plants including dandelion, violets, and honeysuckle.

Behavior Patterns

Night-active (nocturnal) and attracted to lights; caterpillars are known for curling into a tight ball when threatened to reveal iridescent blue-purple bands between body segments.

Risks & Benefits

Harmless to humans; serves as a pollinator and a food source for birds and bats; caterpillars may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals but are not venomous.

Identified on: 6/18/2026