I found this caterpillar on June 15, 2009, eating Wild Black Cherry leaves (Prunus serotina).
Another view from June 20th – showing the bright red head that’s characteristic of this species
On July 1st, it pupated. It covered the pupa with a layer of silk, and mixed some black hairs in with the white silk.
On July 7th an adult male moth emerged.
When I released it, it flew around just above the stones of the driveway, beating its wings frantically. I finally got one photo when it stopped for just a moment.
According to BugGuide, females of this species have no wings, and lay their eggs in a frothy mass on top of their own cocoons. I hope the next caterpillar I raise will turn out to be a female!
Marcie O’Connor
Buffalo County, Wisconsin