Scarlet tiger moth


The scarlet tiger moth is a colorful moth belonging to the tiger moth subfamily, Arctiinae. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.

Subspecies

Subspecies within this species include:
This species is present in most of Europe and in the Near East. These moths prefer damp areas, but they also can be found on rocky cliffs close to the sea.

Description

Callimorpha dominula has a wingspan of. Adults of this species are quite variable in color. The forewings usually have a metallic-green sheen on the blackish areas, with white and yellow or orange markings. Hindwings are red with three large and irregular black markings. These moths may also occur in rare color forms, one with yellow hindwings and body and one with extended black on hindwings. The thorax is black glossed with green and shows two longitudinal short yellow stripes. The abdomen is black. The scarlet tiger moth has developed mouthparts, that allow it to feed on nectar. The caterpillars can reach a length of about. They are dark gray with yellow stripes and small white dots.

Biology

The imagines are active during the day in May and June. This species has a single generation. The caterpillars are polyphagous. They mainly feed on comfrey, but also on a number of other plants.
The three morphs occurring in the population at the Cothill reserve in Oxfordshire, Britain, have been the subject of considerable genetic study, including research by E. B. Ford, Ronald Fisher and Denis Owen. Don McNamara describes how amateurs can rear this species.

Gallery