The hind wing may be solid yellow or cream or may have some pink areas. Wingspan is 35-50 mm. Late-stage larvae tend to separate and feed singly. There are two conspicuous long back spines on the second segment of the thorax, and two rows of short spines along each side of the body. Caterpillars from the spring moth emergence usually become fully grown during June and enter the soil and pupate.
New adults emerge in about two weeks and lay eggs to begin a second generation.
In Alabama, the second generation usually occurs during late July, August, early September. The various maples are the preferred hosts in Alabama. In some years, small, scattered infestations are fairly common.