The late stage caterpillars are hairy, dark and easily distinguished by five pairs of blue spots on the front body segments and six pairs of red spots on the back body segments. In July the mature larvae seek protected areas, which could be almost anyplace, where they form reddish brown pupae. In 10 to 15 days, still in July, the moths emerge. Male moths are excellent flyers. They vary in color from light tan to dark brown.
Front wings display black wavy bands and V-shaped markings.
Hind wings are light brown trimmed with dark brown. Male moths have conspicuous, feather-like antennae. Female moths are larger than males and predominantly white with a few faint, wavy brown or black bands and V-shaped markings on the front wings. Marginal dark spots are found on both front and hind wings. Because they cannot fly, females do not move far from the pupation site to lay their 500 or more eggs.