Wings folded rooflike over the body when at rest. Mouth parts well suited for sucking and the long proboscis is curled when not in use. The caterpillars resemble tiger moth caterpillars. Caterpillars feed on a wide range of plants including foliage of trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants and grasses. Some species feed on decaying organic matter while others are cannibalistic.
Adults frequently are nocturnal and feed on nectar, fermenting tree sap and decaying fruit.
Occurs in mixed and deciduous wooded areas. The caterpillars are voracious eaters and can eat all the leaves of a tree eventually killing it. Also wanted for spinning silk. Many larvae use silk to make cocoons or shelters.