Thyatiridae and Drepanidae moths are not numerous in California, with less than 10 species. As most moth caterpillars, they make their cocoons on the ground, often protected under leaves or in burrows. Commonly called wild silk moths, members of the family Saturniidae total 19 species in California. The white-streaked saturnia caterpillar attaches its cocoon on twigs of the host tree, while the majority of other species pass their pupal stage in cocoons buried in the ground. Although most caterpillars in this family spend a winter in the pupal stage, the pandora pinemoth can remain in the cocoon for up to five years.
Sphinx moths and hawkmoths are part of the family Sphingidae, with more than 30 species in California, some of which are agricultural pests. The five-spotted hawkmoth (Manduca quinquemaculata) destroys food crops and produces cocoons on the soil, where it overwinters. Prominents are part of the Notodontidae family and pass their pupal stage during spring, building their cocoon on the ground. Arctiidae includes tiger moths and lichen moths, with more than 50 species in California, including members of the genera Arachnis and Clemensia. The arched hooktip caterpillar is the only species of the family Drepanidae found in California.
Noctuidae includes owlet and miller caterpillars, some of which are forest pests, with about 50 species in California. Geometridae include geometer and looper caterpillars, such as Campaea perlata, Hydriomena muscata and Nemoria pulcherrima. Only four caterpillars of the family Erebidae are found in California, while the family Cossidae has a single species: the carpenter-worm (Prionoxystus robiniae). Most of these caterpillars produce their cocoon on the ground.
Caterpillars of the family Oecophoridae form the largest group in California, building their cocoons in burrows in the soil or under decaying leaves. Pyrausta californicalis and Uresiphita reversalis are the only two species of Crambidae found in California, while the families Lymantriidae and Adelidae have only one species living in the state, Orgyia vetusta and Adela eldorada, respectively.