Purple Tiger
Common NamePurple Tiger
Scientific NameWatsonarctia deserta
FamilyErebidae
SubfamilyArctiinae
Wingspan (mm)35
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsorange, red, black
HabitatDry grasslands, steppes, open sandy areas
Geographic RangeCentral and Eastern Europe, Siberia, Central Asia
Host PlantsPlantago, Taraxacum, Achillea
Flight PeriodJune to July
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are hairy and typically overwinter, feeding on various herbaceous plants before pupating in a cocoon.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive combination of yellowish-orange spotted forewings and bright red-orange hindwings with large black spots, along with a very furry orange body.
Description
This moth has fuzzy orange-yellow forewings with scattered dark spots, and vibrant red-orange hindwings marked with prominent black spots. Its body is densely covered in orange fur.
