Bug FAQStinging Rose Caterpillar Moth
Parasa indetermina · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Limacodidae
Source: Wikipedia
The stinging rose caterpillar moth has a wingspan of about 23 to 30 mm. Its larvae feed on a variety of trees and rose bushes, and the adult’s urticating hairs can irritate skin.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Adults are active from June through July.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
The moth’s wingspan ranges from 23 to 30 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Does it bite or sting?
Both adults and larvae have numerous urticating hairs that can cause skin irritation.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults are on the wing from June to July.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
The flight period for adults is June through July.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its native range is the United States, covering the same states as its habitat.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 29 of 51 states and DC. Most records: New Jersey, Missouri, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Georgia.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in Canada; native in United States. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
When are adult stinging rose caterpillar moths active?
Adults are active from June through July.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Limacodidae)
Saddleback Caterpillar MothAcharia stimuleaCan sting
Spiny Oak-slug MothEuclea delphiniiVenomous
Yellow-shouldered Slug MothLithacodes fasciolaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Skiff MothProlimacodes badiaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Crowned Slug MothIsa textulaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Yellow-collared Slug MothApoda y-inversaDamages trees, gardens or cropsSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasa_indetermina
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-24 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-24.