Fall Webworm (Caterpillar)

Description:

I spotted this late instar fall webworm on Echinacea. This leaf has indeed been chewed upon, but it's hard to say if this larva was feeding here or just happened to pick this leaf in its search for a place to pupate. There are plenty of more typical host plants and trees nearby. Note the black head, which according to some sources I have found indicates this is the northern race of this species.

Habitat:

The moth is native to North America, ranging from Canada to Mexico. (Accidentally introduced from North America to Yugoslavia in the 1940s, and has since spread throughout Europe; later introduced to northern China and North Korea.)

Notes:

Spotted in a backyard flower garden in Kennesaw, GA