Moth Cocoons That Can Be Found in an Oak Tree

Polyphemus Moth

• The Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus) deposits eggs on an oak tree that eventually develop into stocky, light green caterpillars with a width of as long as 4 inches. In August or September, the caterpillar spins an oval cocoon attached to the leaf of the oak where it spends the winter pupating -- or transforming -- before emerging as a light brown moth with a wingspan of 3 to 5 inches in June. The adult moth then lays eggs, and the life cycle continues.

Luna Moth

• The Luna moth (Actias luna) produces a caterpillar of approximately 3 inches in length that spins a cocoon in the leaves of an oak tree before falling to the ground amid leaf litter in autumn. The caterpillar spends the winter in the cocoon and emerges in June as a pale green adult moth with a wingspan of 4 inches. This striking moth is also identified by the clear eye spot in the front of its body.

Io Moth

• The caterpillar of the Io moth (Automenis io) builds a cocoon in oak trees before emerging as a moth with a wingspan of 2 to 3 inches and a large eye spot placed in the middle of each hind wing. The caterpillar that constructs the cocoon is light green in color, about 2 inches in length and exhibits a collection of pointed, green spines that offer a painful sting to humans or animals that touch them. The caterpillar is adorned with a purplish-pink line that extends along the side of its body.

Orangestriped Oakworm

• The orangestriped oakworm (Anisota senatoria) has a length of approximately 2 inches and a black body highlighted by eight yellow stripes and a row of yellow spots. The head is adorned with two black horns, and pointy spines jut along the length of its body. The caterpillar transforms into a tan moth with a white spot on the front wing. The male of the species is smaller and darker in color. Groups of oakworms are capable of defoliating an oak entire tree.