Bat-moth-interactions
Guides
Pygarctia
tiger moths
Pygarctia is a genus of arctiine tiger moths in the family Erebidae, established by Grote in 1871. The genus contains approximately 13 described species distributed primarily in North America. At least one species, Pygarctia roseicapitis, has been documented producing acoustic warning signals to deter bat predators, a behavior termed acoustic aposematism. Caterpillars of P. roseicapitis are specialist herbivores on Euphorbia plants, exhibiting distinctive trenching behavior where they cut leaf veins before feeding to reduce latex flow.
Pygarctia roseicapitis
Red-headed Pygarctia Moth
Pygarctia roseicapitis is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Adults are active from May to September and have forewings 14–17 mm in length. The species is notable for producing acoustic warning signals to deter bat predators, a behavior called acoustic aposematism. Larvae are specialists on latex-rich Euphorbiaceae and exhibit distinctive trenching behavior—cutting leaf veins before feeding to reduce latex flow.