White-marked tussock moth ( Orgyia leucostigma , Lymantriidae) is common in eastern North America. Unfortunately, this amazing caterpillar cannot be employed as an extermination agent for Japanese rose, because in addition to the rose, it would consume about anything, as long as it is green, be it conifers, chestnuts, birches, or willows... Indeed the caterpillar belongs to the same family as the infamous gypsy moth! Photographed on beach grass (but hopefully interested mostly in the rose)