Some trees listed as hosts are apple, black locust, cherry, hackberry, hickory, maple, and oak. Life Cycle, Description, and Habits The Io moth overwinters as a pupa in a thin, brown cocoon in debris and litter on the ground.
Coloration varies from yellow to tan, reddish brown, to purplish red.
Each hind wing has a large, dark, circular eyespot. These spots, to a potential predator, may appear to be eyes of some animal and, thereby, serve to defend the moth against predation. Females lay eggs in clusters. Larvae are present during June-October. Head and body are yellowish green.