Phragmatobia
Stephens, 1828
Ruby tiger moths
Species Guides
3- Phragmatobia assimilans(Large Ruby Tiger Moth)
- Phragmatobia fuliginosa(Ruby Tiger)
- Phragmatobia lineata(Lined Ruby Tiger Moth)
Phragmatobia is a of tiger moths in the Arctiinae, historically used as a catch-all for many small to medium-sized . The type species, Phragmatobia fuliginosa (Ruby Tiger), is among the most studied members with a fully sequenced . Species in this genus are found across the Holarctic region, with variable including polyphagy and multiple per year in warmer climates.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Phragmatobia: //ˌfræɡməˈtoʊbiə//
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Identification
Members of Phragmatobia are small to medium-sized tiger moths. The has undergone taxonomic revision, with many historically placed now recognized as unrelated to the type species. Accurate identification to species level often requires examination of genitalia and reference to original descriptions.
Images
Habitat
Open including woodlands, grasslands, and disturbed areas. The type P. fuliginosa occupies woodland edges and open country.
Distribution
Holarctic distribution including Europe, Asia, and northern North America. In North America, documented from Maryland, Wisconsin, Ohio, South Dakota, Idaho, Montana, and Pennsylvania. In the British Isles, widespread except absent from Shetland. Additional records from Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, Sweden) and Vermont, USA.
Seasonality
activity varies by latitude and number. In southern Britain, two generations occur with adults present April-June and July-August. In northern Britain, typically a single generation. Late summer generations show stronger attraction to light traps.
Diet
Larvae are herbivores, feeding on a wide variety of herbaceous plants. P. fuliginosa larvae show particular preference for ragworts (Senecio spp.). P. lineata larvae have been recorded feeding on Chelone glabra (Scrophulariaceae).
Host Associations
- Senecio spp. - larval hostplantpreferred by P. fuliginosa
- Chelone glabra - larval hostplantrecorded for P. lineata
Life Cycle
Spherical white deposited in batches. Hairy larvae overwinter when fully grown. time varies geographically: single generation in northern Britain, two generations in southern Britain. Larvae exhibit high cold , with documented survival of 14 days embedded in ice for P. fuliginosa.
Behavior
are primarily but occasionally active during daylight hours. Larvae bask in sunshine to elevate body temperature above ambient conditions. Larvae are fast-moving and frequently observed crossing roads and paths. Midwinter larval activity on snow has been reported for P. fuliginosa rubricosa. Males use derived from obtained during larval feeding in .
Similar Taxa
- Other Arctiinae generaPhragmatobia has historically been a catch-all ; many were placed here but are unrelated to the type species, requiring careful taxonomic revision for accurate identification.
More Details
Genomic Resources
The of Phragmatobia fuliginosa has been sequenced from a male specimen from Wytham Woods, Oxfordshire, UK. The assembly is 629.4 Mb with 28 chromosomal pseudomolecules (27 + Z ) and 13,338 protein-coding genes identified.
Taxonomic History
The has served as a scratch genus for many tiger- , but only a few are actually related to the type species P. fuliginosa. The original description of Phragmatobia dallii Packard, 1870 is considered rare and has been reproduced in recent literature.