Tiger Moth — printable fact sheet

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Tiger Moth

Arctia caja

The Tiger Moth is a strikingly colorful invertebrate known for its bold patterns of orange, white, and black on its wings. Its vibrant appearance serves as a warning to predators about its unpalatability, thanks to toxins accumulated from its larval host plants. Tiger Moth cater…

Classification

Invertebrate

Family

Erebidae

Habitat

Temperate forests, meadows, gardens, and grasslands

Diet

Herbivore

Conservation status

Least Concern

Lifespan

1-2 months (adult), several months (larva)

Weight

0.2–0.5 grams

Scientific name

Arctia caja

Did you know?

Some Tiger Moth species can not only hear bat echolocation but also respond with their own ultrasonic signals to deter attack.
Tiger Moth caterpillars are famously known as 'woolly bears' and are thought in folklore to predict the severity of winter. Adult Tiger Moths can emit ultrasonic clicks to jam bat echolocation, helping them evade predators. Their bright colors are a classic example of aposematism, warning would-be predators of their toxicity.

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