Alder Dagger Moth (Caterpillar)

Description:

Also called the Fingered Dagger Moth, the Alder Dagger Moth caterpillar is a distinct orange/brown colour with 3 black tufts along its back and white hairs on its sides. The adults fly from May to August and depending on location, only has one generation per year.

Habitat:

The Alder Dagger Moth can be found across North America from Newfoundland to Southern British Columbia and in the U.S. from Maine, south to Pennsylvania and West to California. The larvae feed on a variety of host plants, including: Birch, Alder, Cottonwood, Willow and Poplar.

Notes:

I found two of these caterpillars in the same general area this past August. These caterpillars remind me of tigers with their unique colouring. The specific caterpillars I found were both observed on Alder bushes.