Ignoring ilia/umbrosa, larvae of coccinata are the next most recognizable of the oak-feeding Catocala in the eastern Nearctic. Mature larvae of coccinata are substantially larger than other commonly encountered oak species such as micronympha and similis, and the bulbous, fleshy A5 horn is diagnostically coccinata. Body color gray to grayish brown, varyingly mottled, body striping indistinct; dense lateral filaments; A5 saddle patch usually prominent, especially so from dorsolateral stripe to filaments, and often warmer brown; A8 tubercles especially long, large pimply dorsal pinnacula; venter white, mauve/ink overtone, with large black spots on A3-A6 only; head capsule with bold black lateral bands extending over top, lobes and frons grayish with indistinct striping. Recorded from a variety of different Quercus throughout its geographic range.