It is one of the more common Saturniids, reaching pest status occasionally in the northern parts of its range.

The fifth instar is black with yellow-orange stripes on its side, and prominent spiny horns on the second segment of the thorax, about 5 cm long.

Females are stout bodied, yellow orange with a silver-white spot and faint black line across the forewing.

Males are much smaller, and red brownish, but also have the white spot and pale lines.

Wagner (2005) also reports chestnut, birch, hazel, hickory and maple.