# Cinnabar moth (*Tyria jacobaeae*) The Cinnabar moth is a colorful insect with bright red and black wings. It loves to flutter around flowers and is often seen in gardens during the summer. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Red Moth ![Cinnabar moth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Tyria_jacobaeae-04_%28xndr%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Svdmolen, CC BY 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tyria_jacobaeae-04_%28xndr%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Cinnabar moth has striking black forewings marked with a vibrant red stripe along the leading edge and two distinct red spots. Its hindwings are brilliant scarlet red with a black border. This bold, contrasting coloration makes it easily recognizable and different from most other moths. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Erebidae - **Genus:** Tyria ## Interesting facts - Female moths lay hundreds of tiny yellow eggs on the underside of leaves! - Its vibrant red color comes from pigments absorbed from the plants it eats! - Their striking yellow and black striped caterpillars are often seen feeding in groups! - This moth helps control ragwort, a weed harmful to livestock! ## Special abilities - **Toxic Shield:** Cinnabar moth has a toxic shield because they eat poisonous plants, protecting them from predators. - **Bright Warning:** Cinnabar moth has bright red wings that warn predators they are toxic, keeping them safe. - **Sun Flyer:** Cinnabar moth can fly during the day because it helps them find food and mates in sunshine. - **Weed Warrior:** Cinnabar moth larvae can eat harmful ragwort because it helps control this invasive plant. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 32-42 mm - **Size:** 15-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-20 days - **Flight Speed:** 5-10 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip nectar from flowers, while caterpillars munch on poisonous plants like ragwort. - **Age differences:** Caterpillars eat toxic leaves; adults drink flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Ragwort leaves (Jacobaea vulgaris), Groundsel leaves (Senecio vulgaris), Thistle nectar (Cirsium spp.), Knapweed nectar (Centaurea spp.) - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Common Ragwort (*Jacobaea vulgaris*) — Caterpillars consume its leaves. - **Pollinates:** [Creeping Thistle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/creeping-thistle) (*Cirsium arvense*) — Adults transfer pollen while feeding. - **Pollinates:** [Black Knapweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-knapweed) (*Centaurea nigra*) — Moths visit flowers for nectar. ## Traits - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Cinnabar moths are safe to observe, but don't touch them or their caterpillars. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Cinnabar moth? Compare resting wing shape, forewing markings, antennae and body build. Small brown moths can hinge on fine details a phone photo can't always catch. Moth Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Cinnabar moth's wingspan? 32-42 mm ### How big is Cinnabar moth? 15-20 mm ### How long does Cinnabar moth live? 10-20 days ### How fast can Cinnabar moth fly? 5-10 km/h ### What does Cinnabar moth eat? Adults sip nectar from flowers, while caterpillars munch on poisonous plants like ragwort. ### Where is Cinnabar moth usually found? Grasslands ### How does Cinnabar moth hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cougar-mountain-regional-wildland-park) — Washington, US · Park - [E. E. Wilson Wildlife Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/e-e-wilson-wildlife-area) — Oregon, US · Nature Reserve - [Pairi Daiza](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pairi-daiza) — Hainaut, BE · Zoo - [Capitol State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/capitol-state-forest) — Washington, US · Forest - [Clatsop Butte Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/clatsop-butte-park) — Oregon, US · Park [View all places to see Cinnabar moth](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/cinnabar-moth) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Cinnabar moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cinnabar-moth)