Spilosoma virginica

Some of the black-spotted white arctiids are called "ermine moths" - not to be confused with the very different yponomeutid "small ermine moths". The present species is also called the Virginia Tiger Moth, though it is by no means restricted to Virginia and is quite common in our area. The caterpillar is the Yellow Woolly Bear, and its colour can vary from yellow to light brown. It feeds on low-growing plants such as docks, thistles, plantains and dandelions. Winter is spent as a pupa in a cocoon.