Isabella Tiger Moth

Pyrrharctia isabella

The Isabella Tiger Moth is a cute, fuzzy moth with a mix of orange and black. It can be found flying around at night!

Habitat: Fields and gardens

Appearance

The Isabella Tiger Moth has pale yellow to orange-brown forewings, sometimes with small black spots, and often more vivid orange hindwings. Its body is notably furry and bright orange, with a distinct row of black dots along its back, making it stand out from most drab moths.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyErebidaeGenusPyrrharctia

Isabella Tiger Moth

Interesting facts

Adult Isabella Tiger Moths fly mostly at night, using their fuzzy antennae to find mates in the dark.

Its famous caterpillar, the Woolly Bear, is said to predict winter severity by its band pattern!

They get their "Tiger Moth" name from the striped patterns seen on many species in their family.

Woolly Bear caterpillars can literally freeze solid and then come back to life when it warms up.

Special abilities

Isabella Tiger Moth caterpillars can survive freezing solid because they produce a natural antifreeze, allowing them to thaw and revive.

The caterpillar's dense, stiff hairs, called setae, protect it from many predators by making it irritating and difficult to eat.

When severely threatened, the caterpillar can roll into a ball and release a bad-tasting fluid to deter attackers.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 45-65 mm
Size: 25-35 mm
Lifespan: 300-365 days
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

Woolly bear caterpillars munch on many types of low-growing plants, while adult moths rarely eat.

Age differences: Caterpillars are voracious herbivores; adult moths focus on reproduction and rarely sip nectar.

Primary Foods

Taraxacum officinale
Plantago major
Trifolium repens
Solidago canadensis
Poaceae

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Common Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

Caterpillars feed on their leaves.

eats

Common Plantain

Plantago major

Caterpillars feed on their leaves.

eaten by

Blue Jay

Cyanocitta cristata

Birds prey on adult moths and caterpillars.

eaten by

Little Brown Bat

Myotis lucifugus

Nocturnal adults are hunted by bats.

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!

Furry

Find adorable animals covered in a cozy coat of soft fur! Their fur helps them stay warm and protected in different environments.

Grassland

These wide-open spaces are covered in grasses, often home to grazing animals and incredible predators! Experience the vastness of the plains.

Herbivorous

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

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.