Tussock moth larvae are known to feed on the foliage of a wide variety of trees, both conifers and hardwoods. Hardwood hosts include basswood, maple, sycamore, apple, oak, poplar, willow, and elm. The insect overwinters in the egg stage that hatch in the spring, usually April. Groups of young larvae (caterpillars) skeletonize leaves and later-stage larvae are solitary feeders and consume whole leaves and reduce the aesthetic value of ornamental trees. Larvae become fully grown in five to six weeks after hatching in mid-spring. On the full-grown larva the head and shield on the segment behind the head are red. Fully grown larvae construct loose tan-gray cocoons on the underside of branches or in bark crevices and pupate. Moths emerge in about two weeks. Females lay eggs on the cocoons from which they emerged, then die. Eggs hatch to begin a new generation. There are usually two generations (a third may possibly occur) per year and larvae can generally be found from April until fall. The caterpillar possesses "nettling" hairs, and contact with these could cause some mild skin reaction.