Giant Leopard Moth Caterpillar

Natural Habitat

Found in forests, fields, and gardens throughout North America

Diet & Feeding

Broadleaf plants including dandelion, plantain, violets, honeysuckle, and various deciduous trees

Behavior Patterns

Active in late summer and fall; they over-winter as caterpillars and are known to curl into a tight ball when threatened, revealing red rings between their segments

Risks & Benefits

Unlike many fuzzy caterpillars, they are generally not venomous and do not sting, but their stiff hairs can cause mild skin irritation for sensitive individuals; they benefit the ecosystem as pollinators in their adult moth stage

Identified on: 6/27/2026