Notodontid caterpillars are among the most handsome and behaviorally interesting of the eastern forest caterpillars. Several genera are ornamented with fleshy or horny knobs, others with abundant downy setae. All bear secondary setae on or above the midabdominal prolegs. The anal prolegs are always modified, either being reduced in size or elongated and taillike. The crochets of 1 length are arranged in a row paralleling the body axis.
Prominent caterpillars tend to stay on foliage by day.
Some of the most conspicuous species are gregarious. Host associations can be helpful in identification as most species are specialized in diet. Color patterns are highly variable in some species.