Ruby Tiger Moth
Common NameRuby Tiger Moth
Scientific NamePhragmatobia fuliginosa
FamilyErebidae
SubfamilyArctiinae
Wingspan (mm)40
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorsorange, brown, dark red
HabitatOpen woodlands, heathland, moorland, fens, marshes, gardens, and other open grassy areas.
Geographic RangePalearctic region (Europe, Asia) and North America.
Host PlantsPlantain, Dandelion, Dock, Heather, Bramble, Willowherb
Flight PeriodMay to June and August to September (bivoltine in many regions)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesThe larvae are distinctive 'woolly bears,' covered in dense, dark brown hairs. They overwinter as larvae and pupate in a silken cocoon among leaf litter or soil.
Identification TipsLook for the combination of the furry dark reddish-brown body, the reddish-orange forewings with a single black spot, and the often visible red abdomen with black spots when the moth is at rest or disturbed.
Description
A medium-sized moth with a furry, dark reddish-brown body and reddish-orange forewings, each typically featuring a small black discal spot. The hindwings are often red with black spots, visible when the moth is disturbed.
