Black Fuzzy Caterpillar with Red Rings: Giant Leopard Moth Larva

Identifying the “Woolly Bear” Look-Alike

A 2-inch black fuzzy caterpillar with red intersegmental rings, curling into a tight ball when disturbed, found on a garage floor in daytime and feeding on grass at night, is almost certainly the larva of the Giant Leopard Moth (Hypercompe scribonia), also called the Eyed Tiger Moth.

Key Identification Points

• Dense, stiff black hairs of equal length radiating around body.
• Rolls head-to-tail when threatened.
• Red/orange rings visible between hair tufts when curled.
• Feeds on low plants: grass, dandelion, plantain, violets.
• Common across eastern North America.

Life Cycle & Habits

• Overwinters as nearly full-grown larva.
• Pupates in spring in a loose cocoon.
• Adult moth: white with black hollow circles (“leopard spots”), 3-inch wingspan.
• Harmless—no sting, no crop damage.

What to Do

No control needed. If found indoors, gently relocate outside. They’re beneficial pollinators as adults and part of the food web as larvae.

Photo Reference

See this image for confirmation.