Hodges#8134
Spilosoma congrua
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Superfamily: Noctuoidea
- Family: Erebidae
- Subfamily: Arctiinae
- Tribe: Arctiini
- Subtribe: Spilosomina
- Genus: Spilosoma
- Species: congrua
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Spilosoma congrua: /ˌspaɪləˈsoʊmə ˈkɑːŋɡruə/
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Summary
The agreeable tiger moth (Spilosoma congrua) is a common species of white tiger moth native to the U.S. It has easily identifiable characteristics that distinguish it from related species, primarily in its wing and leg coloration. It was first described by Francis Walker in 1855 and is found across North America.
Physical Characteristics
Wingspan 27-47 mm; forewing pure white or marked with transverse rows of black spots; antennal shaft white; inner face of pro-femora yellow-orange; hind tibiae with both pre-apical and apical pair of spurs; abdomen white.
Identification Tips
Key identification features include the appearance of the legs. For S. congrua, tibiae and tarsi are solid white laterally bordered by solid black medially with clear demarcation and no banding on tarsi. It can be confused with Spilosoma virginica and Hyphantria cunea, but the coloration of tibiae and tarsi allows for differentiation.
Habitat
Commonly found in herbaceous plant ecosystems throughout the United States.
Distribution
Southwestern U.S. north to southern Canada, east to the Atlantic.
Diet
Larvae are general feeders on herbaceous plants including dandelion (Taraxacum spp.), plantain (Plantago spp.), and pigweed (Amaranthus spp.).
Life Cycle
Eggs hatch into larvae, which develop through several stages before pupating in cocoons; adults emerge from pupae.
Reproduction
The specific details of reproduction are not mentioned, but typically involve laying eggs on host plants.
Ecosystem Role
As a herbivore, S. congrua plays a role in the food web, contributing to the plant-pollinator relationship and serving as prey for various predators.
Similar Taxa
Misconceptions
Often confused with similar tiger moth species where their ranges overlap, particularly S. virginica and H. cunea.
Tags
- Insect
- Moth
- Lepidoptera
- Arctiinae