The Caterpillars of the ARCTIIDAE are mostly covered uniformly in dark hairs, which gives them the name "Woolly Bears". The hairs can cause Urticaria in sensitive people. The Caterpillars typically feed and move about during the daytime. Characteristically, if disturbed, they roll into a tight spiral with the head in the centre.

They pupate in a cocoon made of silk with their hairs matted together.

The adults are small to medium in size, and many are spotted or striped in red, orange, black, and/or white. The stripes give rise to the name "Tiger Moths". Some often fold their wings closely along their bodies giving them a stiff appearance: hence their name "Footmen".

The 301 named Australian members of this family are divided taxonomically into the three subfamilies listed here.