Newly hatched larvae are light green and change to reddish brown with white stripes. Fully grown larvae are nearly black with white hairs. The front wings are dark tan with four rust colored lines. The hind wings are light tan. Identifying the Injury.
Young larvae skeletonize the upper leaf surface.
As they grow, they feed on the entire leaf except the petiole. Individual branches, entire trees, or groups of trees may be completely defoliated. Eggs hatch in 8 to 10 days, and larvae feed until mature and pupate in the soil. Adults emerge in July and begin the second generation, which is the largest and most destructive. Larvae cluster together on tree branches or trunks and molt simultaneously, leaving a large mass of hairy cast skins adhering to the bark.