Ranchman's Tiger Moth
Common NameRanchman's Tiger Moth
Scientific NameArctia virginalis
FamilyErebidae
SubfamilyArctiinae
Wingspan (mm)40
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsblack, cream, orange
HabitatOpen woodlands, chaparral, grasslands, mountain areas
Geographic RangeWestern North America (from British Columbia south to California and east to Colorado and New Mexico)
Host Plantslupine, plantain, dandelion, various grasses
Flight PeriodMay to July
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis; larvae are hairy caterpillars, often referred to as 'woolly bears', which feed on a variety of herbaceous plants before pupating.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its bold black and cream-yellow spotted forewings combined with black and orange-yellow spotted hindwings. The pattern is quite unique among tiger moths in its range.
Description
A striking medium-sized moth with black wings featuring large, irregular cream-yellow spots on the forewings and smaller, more orange-yellow spots on the hindwings. The body is also black with some orange markings.
