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Ranchman's Tiger Moth

Arctia virginalis

The Ranchman's Tiger Moth is a beautiful insect with fuzzy orange and black wings. It loves to fly around gardens and fields, especially in warm weather. These moths are fun to watch as they flutter about!

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Ranchman's Tiger Moth has bold black forewings patterned with striking white or cream veins, creating a dramatic network design. Its hindwings are brilliant orange or red, adorned with irregular black spots, making it stand out vividly against its surroundings.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyErebidaeGenusArctia
Ranchman's Tiger Moth
furry trait badgeaerial trait badgecolorful trait badgegrassland trait badge
Ranchman's Tiger Moth

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

1

Interesting facts

Adult moths sometimes "play dead" if a predator tries to catch them.

Even when it's super cold, the caterpillar can survive by freezing solid!

Its caterpillars are so fuzzy, they are often called "woolly bears"!

The moth's bright colors are like a stop sign for birds: "Don't eat me!"

Special abilities

Ability

Flashy Warning!

Ranchman's Tiger Moth can flash its bright orange hindwings because of their vibrant color that warns predators it might be toxic or unpalatable.

Ability

Toxic Meal

Ranchman's Tiger Moth can be toxic to eat because its caterpillars munch on plants that contain compounds which are stored in the adult moth.

Ability

Sonar Jammer

Ranchman's Tiger Moth can create ultrasonic clicks because of special organs that help them confuse and escape from hungry bats hunting at night.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
50-70 mm
Size
20-30 mm
Lifespan
7-14 days
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

As caterpillars, they munch on various plants; as adults, they might not eat much at all!

Age differences: Young caterpillars are voracious eaters, but adult moths often do not feed, or only sip nectar occasionally.

Primary Foods

  • Plantain
  • Dandelion
  • Clover
  • Lupine
  • Grasses
  • Wild herbs

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Moths are usually safe to watch, but don't touch them as they can be delicate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Ranchman's Tiger Moth?

The easiest way to identify Ranchman's Tiger Moth is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

What is Ranchman's Tiger Moth's wingspan?

50-70 mm

How big is Ranchman's Tiger Moth?

20-30 mm

How long does Ranchman's Tiger Moth live?

7-14 days

What does Ranchman's Tiger Moth eat?

As caterpillars, they munch on various plants; as adults, they might not eat much at all!

Where is Ranchman's Tiger Moth usually found?

Grasslands

How does Ranchman's Tiger Moth hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Ranchman's Tiger Moth have?

6

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