The brightly striped pattern of the wings has inspired the common name of tiger moth.

[2] Caterpillars of the species are dark with contrasting bright markings and covered with stiff hairs.

Many species of tiger moths contain toxic substances, so the bright patterns of both adults and larvae serve as a warning to predators.

Tiger moths have a well-developed hearing organ, or tympanum, on each side of the thorax.

The larvae feed on various low-growing plants, including dandelion, Vernonia, and thistles.