Garden Tiger Moth

Arctia caja

The Garden Tiger Moth is a fuzzy moth with striking orange and black markings. It loves to fly around gardens at night!

Habitat: Gardens and fields

Appearance

The Garden Tiger Moth has striking forewings, typically brownish with creamy white lines, that hide vibrant orange or red hindwings dotted with bold black spots. Its body is noticeably hairy, giving it a fuzzy appearance. This bold pattern makes it easily distinguishable from other moths.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyErebidaeGenusArctia

Garden Tiger Moth

Interesting facts

It flies mainly at night, navigating by the light of the moon and stars!

Its furry body helps it stay warm when flying on cool summer nights!

Its super-hairy caterpillar can survive freezing solid during winter!

This fuzzy moth uses its bold colors to warn hungry birds to stay away!

Special abilities

Garden Tiger Moth has vibrant hindwings that help them warn predators of their toxicity when disturbed.

Garden Tiger Moth can release foul-tasting compounds because they help them deter predators from eating them.

Garden Tiger Moth can produce clicking sounds that help them jam the sonar of hunting bats.

Garden Tiger Moth caterpillars can survive freezing solid in winter that helps them endure cold climates.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 45-65 mm
Size: 25-35 mm
Lifespan: 7-14 days
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

Its fuzzy caterpillars munch on leaves, but grown-up moths prefer not to eat at all!

Age differences: Caterpillars are herbivores, feeding on a variety of low-growing plants, while adults typically do not feed or occasionally sip nectar.

Primary Foods

nettle
dandelion
dock
bramble
honeysuckle

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

European Robin

Erithacus rubecula

Birds, especially robins, prey on the moth.

eaten by

Common Pipistrelle

Pipistrellus pipistrellus

Bats are key nocturnal predators of adult moths.

eats

Common Nettle

Urtica dioica

Caterpillars feed on the leaves of this plant.

eats

Common Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

A common food source for Garden Tiger Moth caterpillars.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Camouflaged

Look closely for animals that are masters of disguise, blending perfectly into their surroundings! Their colors and patterns help them hide from others.

Herbivorous

Meet the peaceful munchers and grazers who find all their nourishment from plants, leaves, and fruits. They transform plant energy into life!

Ancient Lineage

These fascinating organisms carry echoes of the deep past, with ancestors that have roamed the Earth for an incredible span of time. They are living links to ancient worlds!

Urban Friendly

Spot amazing living things that thrive right alongside us in cities and towns, finding homes in parks, gardens, and even cracks in pavements.

Nocturnal

Explore the secret world of animals that come alive at night! They are wide awake when it's dark, using their amazing senses to find food and play.

Pollinator

Meet the busy helpers of the plant world! These creatures carry pollen from one flower to another, helping plants make seeds and grow fruits and vegetables.