# 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! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 111 - **Habitat:** Fields and gardens - **Also known as:** Isabella Moth ![Isabella Tiger Moth](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426816/objects/5556.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Erebidae - **Genus:** Pyrrharctia ## 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 - **Freeze Fighter:** Isabella Tiger Moth caterpillars can survive freezing solid because they produce a natural antifreeze, allowing them to thaw and revive. - **Hairy Shield:** The caterpillar's dense, stiff hairs, called setae, protect it from many predators by making it irritating and difficult to eat. - **Chemical Defense:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-dandelion) (*Taraxacum officinale*) — Caterpillars feed on their leaves. - **Eats:** Common Plantain (*Plantago major*) — Caterpillars feed on their leaves. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Birds prey on adult moths and caterpillars. - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — Nocturnal adults are hunted by bats. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [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. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [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) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Isabella Tiger 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 Isabella Tiger Moth's wingspan? 45-65 mm ### How big is Isabella Tiger Moth? 25-35 mm ### How long does Isabella Tiger Moth live? 300-365 days ### What does Isabella Tiger Moth eat? Woolly bear caterpillars munch on many types of low-growing plants, while adult moths rarely eat. ### Where is Isabella Tiger Moth usually found? Fields and gardens ### How does Isabella Tiger Moth hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Isabella Tiger Moth have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Bald Eagle State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bald-eagle-state-forest) — Pennsylvania, US · Forest - [Blackbird State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blackbird-state-forest) — Delaware, US · Forest - [Burke Lake Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/burke-lake-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Camp Misty Mount Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/camp-misty-mount-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District - [Capen-Clark Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/capen-clark-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Catskill Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/catskill-park) — New York, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see Isabella Tiger Moth](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/isabella-tiger-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: [Isabella Tiger Moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/isabella-tiger-moth)