Apantesis anna

(Grote, 1863)

Anna tiger moth

A tiger moth described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1863. are active from May to July and are attracted to light. The species was transferred from the Grammia to Apantesis during a taxonomic reorganization of tiger moth genera.

Apantesis anna by (c) Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Grammia anna SERC 06-06-15 040 (18659391975) by Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.- 8176 – Grammia anna – Anna Tiger Moth (16060911875) by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Apantesis anna: /æˈpæn.tə.sɪs ˈæn.ə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from similar tiger moths by the combination of black forewings with yellowish to cream-colored lines and bright yellow hindwings with a broad black border. The two to three pale lines extending inward from the on the forewings are a key diagnostic feature.

Images

Appearance

Wingspan 40–53 mm. Forewings black with thick and thin yellowish to cream-colored lines, including two to three pale lines extending inward from the . Hindwings bright yellow with a broad black border and a black spot near the costa.

Distribution

Eastern and central North America: from Maine south to the mountains of North Carolina, west to Nebraska and Arkansas.

Seasonality

on wing from May to July.

Diet

Larvae feed on a wide variety of low-growing plants, including clover (Trifolium spp.) and plantain (Plantago spp.).

Similar Taxa

  • Grammia speciesFormerly classified in the same ; Apantesis anna was moved from Grammia to Apantesis during taxonomic reorganization
  • Other Apantesis speciesShare similar tiger moth and coloration patterns; identification requires examination of forewing line patterns and hindwing coloration

Sources and further reading