There is a potential of accidentally brushing up against one. Overwintering occurs as tiny larvae inside egg cases with emergence in late-spring and summer. Larvae feed on oak and willow trees in groups. Moth Moths appear in May continuing into July. Eggs are laid in clusters of 100 or more on the undersides of leaves.
Young larvae feed gregariously, later scattering to feed.
Host trees include walnut, hickory, butternut, apple, basswood, birch, elm, black locust, aspen and linden. Silverspotted Tiger Moth Adults emerge in July and August and deposit eggs on needles or twigs of coniferous trees. Larvae feed on Douglas fir, true fir, pine and other conifers. They spin cocoons of silk and body hairs, attaching them to twigs, needles, tree trunks or litter on the forest floor. Stings can be rather painful.