The eight spotted forester caterpillar grows up to approximately 3 cm and has a body with black, white and orange rings.

The eight-spotted forester caterpillar, Alypia cotomaculata, produces a striking, black adult moth, with yellow and black spots.  Found in Texas most commonly in spring, especially April.

Food:

These caterpillars feed on plants in the grape family including wild grape, Virginia creeper and Ampelopsis (pepper vine, raccoon grape, etc.).

Control:

Not generally considered a serious pest, these caterpillars produce an attractive, black-winged moth with large, yellow and white spots. Control is not usually necessary, as low numbers of these caterpillars do provide a food supply for insectivorous birds. Should control be desired, use of sprays containing Bacillus thuringiensis or spinosad are low-toxicity and have low impact on beneficial insects. Pyrethroid insecticides provide fast control of heavy infestations (rare). For more information about these and other pesticides see Understanding Common House & Garden Insecticides, ENT-4002.

Author

Michael Merchant, Ph.D., Professor and Extension Urban Entomologist