Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Wingspan 5.2 cm. Forewing with a satin sheen, silk white with light yellow costal and basal areas; leg hairs colored in black and white rings. This lymantriid is known as the satin moth and was accidentally introduced from Europe and is now common and widely distributed in western North America. Moths fly in midsummer. Caterpillars feed on the foliage of willow (Salix), and poplar and aspen (Populus).
Similar species: Spilosoma vestalis femur of foreleg with red hairs; Spilosoma virginica and Hyphantria cunea femur of foreleg with yellow hairs.