Phragmatobia assimilans

Walker, 1855

Large Ruby Tiger Moth

Phragmatobia assimilans, the large ruby tiger , is a North American moth in the Erebidae. It is distinguished by its pinkish-red hindwings with black marginal banding. The occupies a broad geographic range across northern and western North America, with isolated in the Rocky Mountains. are active from late spring through August in a single .

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Phragmatobia assimilans: //ˌfræɡməˈtoʊbiə əˈsɪmɪlænz//

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

Identification

The combination of pinkish-red hindwings with a black marginal band and dark distinguishes this from other North American tiger moths. The dusty orange-brown forewings with dark grey lines and discal spot provide additional diagnostic characters. Females are noticeably larger and darker than males.

Appearance

Forewings 14–19 mm in length, dusty medium to dark orange-brown with dark grey antemedial and postmedial lines and a dark grey discal spot. Hindwings pinkish red with black marginal band and dark . present: females larger and darker with better-developed forewing pattern.

Habitat

Open meadows and moist forests.

Distribution

North America from Nova Scotia to Connecticut, west to British Columbia. Isolated in northern Colorado and the Black Hills of South Dakota. Additional records from Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan in Canada.

Seasonality

active late spring to August. One per year.

Diet

Larvae feed on various herbaceous plants and low woody hardwood shrubs.

Life Cycle

One per year. Larval stage feeds on herbaceous plants and low woody shrubs. from late spring through August.

More Details

Taxonomic History

Described by Francis Walker in 1855. Formerly classified in , now placed in Erebidae ( Arctiinae) following molecular phylogenetic revisions.

Observation Data

726 observations documented on iNaturalist as of source date.

Sources and further reading