Giant Leopard Moth (Hypercompe scribonia)
Size
Caterpillars up to 7.6cm (3in)Male moths up to 51mm (2 in)Female moths up to 30mm (1.2 in)
Moisture
50% humidityNo spraying needed, all moisture needed is provided through fresh leaves.
Temperature
72-78°F (22-26°C)
Sexing
You cannot sex a caterpillar, but can sex a pupae with effort and a trained eye. Sexual dimorphism in adults is mainly in size, but males will have fuzzier antenna and a thinner frame.
Lifespan
In total: 8 months-2 years, including potential winter diapause. Caterpillars will eat speadily for several months. Adult moths generally live only 8–10 days and do not feed.
Instars
Slow growing, molting many times as a caterpillar throughout the year until fall. Nearly grown caterpillars will overwinter, then pupate and eclose the following spring.
Feeding
From hatch they will devour various species of plants as they are polyphagous. I have offered them dandelion, plantain, wild lettuce, maple, and willow. There are many available host species, see here. Clean any buildup of waste when you add new feed. Replace feed every 1-2 days.
Enclosure
Young caterpillars can be housed in a 32oz deli container, but once they start to lose their orange banding it's time to move them into a mesh pop up. Avoid overcrowding in later instars. Ends of branches can be snipped and placed in water to remain fresh.
Breeding
This species can remain in copulation for periods of over 24 hours. After this, the female will lay several hundred small pearly eggs.
Other Information
Also known as the giant wooly bear, this species' caterpillars are black and fuzzy with red bands. The adults of this species do not eat, they simply seek females/call males, mate and lay eggs. Every year there is one brood of this species in the north, and two in the south.