Tiger Moth

• Tiger moths are common to North America, with more than 260 species in the Arctiidae family. In Michigan, the Isabella Tiger Moth (Isia isabella) is widespread; its larval form is the banded wooly bear often seen crossing roads in late summer. They are easily recognized by their black and brown color bands. Folk wisdom says that thin black bands predict a mild winter and thick bands mean it's going to be cold. Adult moths have bold, contrasting colors with a wingspan of 1.5 to 2 inches, thick wings and furry bodies. They are slow and deliberate fliers.
  
  

Gypsy Moth

• The U.S. Forest Service describes the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) as one of the most devastating forest pests in the country. Since it was accidentally introduced in the late 1800s, the moth's range has spread and it is commonly found in Michigan forests munching on the leaves of hardwood trees like oak and aspen. Fully grown caterpillars are dark brown and roughly 2 inches long. Adult females are mostly white with wingspans of 1.5 to 2 inches, while males are smaller than the females and dark brown.
  
  

Coddling Moth

• Like the gypsy moth, the coddling moth is an invasive species damaging to trees. Coddling moths hitchhiked with European settlers and quickly became a principle pest of Midwest apple orchards. Young larvae boring into fruit are pale yellow in color, turning to white as they mature. Adults are approximately 3/8-inch long with grey-brown with gray-and-white bands. Larvae spin cocoons and typically overwinter in loose bark, transforming to adult moths in the spring.
  
  

Giant Silk Moths

• Some moths in the spectacular giant silk moth group (Saturniid) can reach wingspans of 8 inches, making them the largest of the American moths. The fluorescent green Luna is a type of silk moth found in the eastern two-thirds of North America, including Michigan. But you have to be alert to them: these giant moths (wingspans range from 3 to 8 inches) only live for one week. You'll have better luck finding the bright green caterpillars munching on trees and shrubs; they are easily recognized by their large size, growing to over 3 inches.