Tiger-moth
Guides
Alexicles aspersa
alexicles moth
Alexicles aspersa, the alexicles moth, is a tiger moth and the sole species in its genus. It is endemic to the southwestern United States, with records limited to New Mexico and Arizona. The species was described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1883. Little is known of its biology beyond its restricted geographic range.
Apantesis
tiger moths
Apantesis is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, first described by Francis Walker in 1855. Following phylogenetic research published in 2016, the genera Grammia, Holarctia, and Notarctia were merged into Apantesis, substantially expanding its species diversity. The genus is found in North and Central America, with some species documented in other regions including Iraq. Members are characterized by bold color patterns typical of tiger moths, including striped forewings and often brightly colored abdomens that serve as aposematic signals.
Apantesis allectans
Apantesis allectans is a small tiger moth in the family Erebidae, originally described as Grammia allectans by Douglas C. Ferguson in 1985. The species was later transferred to Apantesis as part of a broader reclassification of tiger moth genera. It has a restricted distribution in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, where it inhabits montane pine forests at moderate elevations.
Apantesis arge
Arge Moth, Arge Tiger Moth
Apantesis arge is a medium-sized tiger moth in the family Erebidae, formerly placed in the genus Grammia. The species occurs across much of North America, with adults active from spring through late summer depending on latitude. Larvae are generalist herbivores feeding on a diverse range of plant species including agricultural crops and weeds. The species exhibits geographic variation in voltinism, with two generations annually in southern populations and one or two in northern areas.
Apantesis behrii
Apantesis behrii is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Stretch in 1872. The species occurs in the western United States from Oregon south through California, with highest abundance in the Siskiyou and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges. It inhabits dry, rocky mountain environments and has a narrow adult flight period from early August to late September. Larvae feed on specific host plants including Lotus humistratus and Amsinckia species. The species was transferred from the genus Grammia to Apantesis based on phylogenetic revision.
Apantesis blakei
Blake's Tiger Moth
Apantesis blakei, commonly known as Blake's Tiger Moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. First described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1864, this species was formerly classified under the genus Grammia but was transferred to Apantesis along with related genera. It is native to the North American Great Plains and southern prairie provinces of Canada, where its larvae feed on a documented range of grass and sedge species.
Apantesis bolanderi
Apantesis bolanderi is a small tiger moth in the family Erebidae, originally described from Mount Shasta, California in 1872. It was formerly classified in the genus Grammia but was transferred to Apantesis along with related genera. The species is known from a single locality and remains poorly documented, with no confirmed observations in major biodiversity databases.
Apantesis carlotta-nais-phalerata-vittata
A tiger moth species complex in the genus Apantesis, characterized by striking black-and-white striped forewing patterns typical of the group. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. The taxonomic status of this entity as a distinct species versus a species complex remains unresolved, reflecting ongoing taxonomic revision within the genus.
Apantesis doris
Doris tiger moth
Apantesis doris, commonly known as the Doris tiger moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. It was first described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1869. The species exhibits a transcontinental distribution across North America, with populations in the western region (British Columbia, Alberta, northern Idaho, and western Montana) and eastern populations spanning from Atlantic Canada to Florida and west to central Texas. The species was transferred from the genus Grammia to Apantesis as part of a broader taxonomic reclassification involving multiple genera.
Apantesis edwardsii
A tiger moth in the family Erebidae, Apantesis edwardsii was described by Stretch in 1872. It has a highly restricted distribution, known only from the San Francisco area of California and Klamath County in Oregon. The species was transferred from the genus Grammia to Apantesis in a taxonomic revision that consolidated several related genera.
Apantesis elongata
Columbia Tiger Moth
Apantesis elongata is a tiger moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by Stretch in 1885. It was transferred from the genus Grammia to Apantesis in a taxonomic revision that consolidated several related genera. The species occupies montane meadows in western North America and has been documented feeding on Claytonia lanceolata as a larva.
Apantesis favorita
A tiger moth species in the family Erebidae, described by Berthold Neumoegen in 1890. This species was formerly placed in the genus Grammia but was transferred to Apantesis along with related tiger moth genera. It has a restricted distribution in the Great Plains sand dune ecosystems and exhibits a narrow adult flight period in late spring. The species is notable for its specialized habitat association with prairie sand dunes, a rare ecosystem type in North America.
Apantesis figurata
Figured Tiger Moth
Apantesis figurata, commonly known as the figured tiger moth, is a North American moth in the family Erebidae. First described by Dru Drury in 1773, this species was formerly classified under the genus Grammia before being moved to Apantesis along with related tiger moth genera. It exhibits geographic variation in generation number, with two generations annually in northern Ohio and a single generation further north.
Apantesis hewletti
Apantesis hewletti is a small tiger moth species in the family Erebidae, originally described from southwestern California in 1918. It was formerly classified under the genus Grammia but was reassigned to Apantesis following taxonomic revisions that consolidated several related genera. Adults are characterized by striking coloration with black forewings bearing pale bands and bright yellow to orange-red hindwings. The species has been documented in May, though comprehensive data on its biology and ecology remains limited.
Apantesis incorrupta
Immaculate Tiger Moth
Apantesis incorrupta is an arctiine tiger moth in the family Erebidae, described by Henry Edwards in 1881. It occurs across the southwestern United States and Mexico, inhabiting grasslands and open woodlands. The species produces two generations annually and is notable for research demonstrating larval self-medication behavior using alkaloid compounds to combat parasitoids. It was transferred from the genus Grammia to Apantesis in recent taxonomic revisions.
Apantesis margo
Margo's Tiger Moth
Apantesis margo is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, described by Schmidt in 2009. It was originally placed in the genus Grammia but transferred to Apantesis in a taxonomic revision that consolidated several related genera. The species is restricted to grassland and transitional habitats in the north-central United States and adjacent regions, with flight activity concentrated in late spring. The specific epithet honors the author's wife.
Apantesis nais
Nais tiger moth
Apantesis nais, commonly known as the Nais tiger moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. First described by Dru Drury in 1773, this medium-sized moth is distinguished by its striking black-and-cream forewing pattern and variable reddish or yellow hindwings with bold black spotting. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in wing pattern, with males displaying more extensive pale markings than females. It is widely distributed across eastern and central North America.
Apantesis nevadensis
Nevada tiger moth
Apantesis nevadensis, the Nevada tiger moth, is a small tiger moth in the family Erebidae. It was described by Grote and Robinson in 1866. The species occurs across western North America from the Pacific Northwest through the Rocky Mountain states and intermountain region, extending into the Canadian prairies. It inhabits arid and semi-arid environments including deserts, sagebrush rangelands, juniper woodlands, and open forests. The species was transferred from the genus Grammia to Apantesis in 2009 along with related tiger moth genera.
Apantesis nevadensis superba
Grammia nevadensis superba
Apantesis nevadensis superba is a subspecies of tiger moth in the family Erebidae, originally described as Arctia superba by Stretch in 1874. It belongs to a group of tiger moths formerly placed in the genus Grammia. The subspecies is part of the Apantesis nevadensis species complex, which includes moths with distinctive striped forewing patterns characteristic of tiger moths. Like other members of its genus, it possesses defensive compounds as a chemical defense against predators. The subspecies has been documented through limited observations, with records in iNaturalist indicating it is encountered infrequently.
Apantesis obliterata
Steppe Tiger Moth
Apantesis obliterata is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, originally described from North America in 1885. It exhibits a transcontinental distribution spanning northern Eurasia and North America, with populations in Russia, Mongolia, and the Canadian prairie provinces. The species inhabits grassland ecosystems and is active in late summer and early autumn. It was transferred from the genus Grammia to Apantesis as part of a broader taxonomic reorganization of tiger moths.
Apantesis ornata
Ornate Tiger Moth, Achaia Moth
Apantesis ornata is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, originally described by Packard in 1864 under the name Callarctia ornata. The species was long classified in the genus Grammia before being transferred to Apantesis in a 2016 revision that consolidated several related genera. It occurs across western North America from southern British Columbia to southern California and eastward to the Rocky Mountain states. Adults are active during summer months and are attracted to light. The species exhibits the bright warning coloration typical of tiger moths, though specific details of its biology remain incompletely documented.
Apantesis parthenice
Parthenice Tiger Moth
The Parthenice Tiger Moth is a nocturnal tiger moth in the family Erebidae, found across eastern North America from southeastern Canada through the eastern United States. Adults are active from June through late September and are readily attracted to artificial light sources. The species is common in open habitats including fields and woodland edges.
Apantesis phyllira
Phyllira Tiger Moth
Apantesis phyllira, commonly known as the Phyllira Tiger Moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. First described by Dru Drury in 1773, this moth was formerly classified under the genus Grammia but was transferred to Apantesis along with related species. It occurs across a broad range of North America from eastern Canada to the southern United States and west to the Great Plains. The species is listed as endangered in Connecticut, reflecting conservation concerns in parts of its range.
Apantesis placentia
placentia tiger moth
Apantesis placentia, commonly known as the placentia tiger moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. First described by James Edward Smith in 1797, this species occurs in the southeastern United States. It was formerly classified in the genus Grammia but was transferred to Apantesis along with related genera. The species produces at least two generations annually and is associated with sandy, open woodland habitats.
Apantesis quenseli
Labrador Tiger Moth
Apantesis quenseli, the Labrador tiger moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. It inhabits high-altitude alpine environments and polar regions across the Northern Hemisphere. The species was transferred from the genus Grammia to Apantesis in 2016, reflecting revised understanding of tiger moth phylogeny. Multiple subspecies have been described across its broad geographic range.
Apantesis ursina
Apantesis ursina is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, described by Schmidt in 2009. The species was originally placed in the genus Grammia but was transferred to Apantesis in a 2009 taxonomic revision that consolidated several related genera. It is endemic to a restricted range in southern California and the Channel Islands, with likely extension into Baja California. Adults fly in autumn, with peak activity from mid-September to early October.
Apantesis virgo
Virgin Tiger Moth
A tiger moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Linnaeus in 1758. The species was transferred from the genus Grammia to Apantesis in 2009 along with related taxa. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate form in the Great Lakes and Atlantic regions, and A. v. gigas in the southeastern United States. The species overwinters as larvae.
Apantesis virguncula
Little Virgin Tiger Moth
Apantesis virguncula, commonly known as the Little Virgin Tiger Moth, is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae. The species was originally described by W. Kirby in 1837 under the name Callimorpha virguncula, and has undergone several taxonomic revisions, most recently being transferred from the genus Grammia to Apantesis. It is widely distributed across southern Canada and the United States, with adults active primarily from mid-June to late July. The larvae feed on various herbaceous plants, particularly members of the family Asteraceae.
Apantesis vittata
Banded Tiger Moth
Apantesis vittata, commonly known as the banded tiger moth, is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1787. It occurs in the southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States, with adults active from early spring through autumn. The species has a wingspan of 32–42 mm and larvae feed on various herbaceous plants including dandelions.
Apantesis williamsii
Williams' Tiger Moth
A tiger moth of the family Erebidae found across northern North America. Adults are attracted to ultraviolet light. The species was transferred from the genus Grammia to Apantesis during a taxonomic revision that consolidated several related genera. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate form and A. w. tooele from central Utah.
Arachnis
Arachnis is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae (tiger moths). The genus was established by Geyer in 1837. Members of this genus are part of the diverse tiger moth assemblage, characterized by aposematic coloration and chemical defenses derived from host plant compounds. The genus is not to be confused with the orchid genus Arachnis Blume, 1825, which is a homonym in a different kingdom.
Arachnis aulaea
aulaean tiger-moth, tiger moth
Arachnis aulaea is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Carl Geyer in 1837. It is known from southern Arizona through Mexico to Guatemala. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate A. a. aulaea and A. a. pompeia described by Druce in 1894.
Arachnis picta
Painted Tiger Moth
Arachnis picta is a moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1864. Commonly known as the painted tiger moth, it is found in the Southwestern United States and bordering regions of Mexico. The species has a wingspan of approximately 50 mm and flies during the summer months. Six subspecies have been described, showing geographic variation across its range.
Arctia alpina
Arctic Tiger Moth
Arctia alpina is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, distributed across high-latitude and high-altitude regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The species inhabits northern Scandinavia, Siberia, Alaska, northwestern Canada, and mountainous areas of southern Siberia and northern Mongolia. Adults have a wingspan of 42–50 mm. Larvae feed on specific host plants including dandelion, Vaccinium species, and dwarf willow. The species was transferred from the genus Acerbia to Arctia in a broader taxonomic revision of tiger moth genera.
Arctia opulenta
Opulent Tiger Moth
Arctia opulenta is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Henry Edwards in 1881. It is a small, diurnal species restricted to high-latitude tundra habitats across northern North America. The species is notable for its Arctic-alpine distribution and specialized larval diet on willow species.
Arctia parthenos
St. Lawrence tiger moth
Arctia parthenos, commonly known as the St. Lawrence tiger moth, is a medium-sized moth in the family Erebidae. It was first described by Thaddeus William Harris in 1850. The species inhabits boreal North America across a broad latitudinal range from Alaska to Labrador, with southern extensions into the Rocky and Appalachian Mountains. Adults are active from late May to early August with one generation per year. The larvae feed on woody plants including willow, alder, and birch.
Arctia virginalis
Ranchman's Tiger Moth, woolly bear caterpillar (larval form)
Arctia virginalis is a tiger moth species in the family Erebidae, found in western North America. The species was first described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1852 and was formerly placed in the genus Platyprepia before being transferred to Arctia. Adults are brightly colored with black forewings bearing light yellow spots and orange hindwings with black bands. The larvae, known as woolly bears, are densely hairy caterpillars with distinctive orange-black-orange coloration. A 40-year population study at Bodega Bay, California, found that precipitation is the primary driver of abundance, with wet winters and wet sites supporting higher densities.
Arctia yarrowii
Yarrow's tiger moth, Mountain Tiger Moth
Arctia yarrowii, commonly known as Yarrow's tiger moth or Mountain Tiger Moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. It was first described by Richard Harper Stretch in 1874. The species inhabits high-elevation alpine environments in western North America, specifically barren rocky fellfields and slides above the timberline. Adults are active during mid-summer, with forewings approximately 22 mm in length.
Chelis beanii
Bean's Tiger Moth
Chelis beanii, known as Bean's Tiger Moth, is a small tiger moth species in the family Erebidae. First described by Berthold Neumoegen in 1891, it occurs in montane regions of western North America. The species was transferred from the genus Neoarctia to Chelis based on phylogenetic revisions of tiger moth genera.
Chelis brucei
Bruce's tiger moth
Chelis brucei, commonly known as Bruce's tiger moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. Described by Henry Edwards in 1888, this moth is restricted to mountainous regions of western North America. Adults are active during a brief flight period in mid-summer, while larvae have been documented feeding on a limited set of host plants. The species was transferred from the genus Neoarctia to Chelis as part of a broader taxonomic reorganization of tiger moth genera.
Cisseps
scape moths
Cisseps is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, established by John G. Franclemont in 1936. The genus contains three described species, with Cisseps fulvicollis (yellow-collared scape moth) being the most widely recognized. These moths are notable for their daytime flight activity and aposematic coloration, typically featuring a bright yellow or orange collar against a black body.
Cisseps fulvicollis
Yellow-collared Scape Moth
Cisseps fulvicollis, the yellow-collared scape moth, is a member of the tiger moth subfamily Arctiinae. Adults are distinguished by a bright yellow or orange collar on a black body, with wingspan ranging 25–38 mm. The species is active during daylight hours, feeding on nectar and pollen. Larvae feed nocturnally on grasses and sedges. It is widespread across North America from Canada to Texas and Florida.
Cisthene juanita
Juanita's Lichen Moth
Cisthene juanita is a tiger moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by William Barnes and Foster Hendrickson Benjamin in 1925. It is endemic to southern Arizona, United States. As a member of the genus Cisthene, it belongs to a group of lichen moths known for their often striking color patterns. Related species in this genus have been documented to produce acoustic warning signals to deter bat predators, a behavior termed acoustic aposematism.
Cisthene plumbea
Lead-colored Lichen Moth
Cisthene plumbea is a small tiger moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Richard Harper Stretch in 1885. It is found in eastern North America, where larvae feed on lichen. The species exhibits bivoltine or trivoltine life cycles depending on latitude, with adults active from June through September.
Cisthene subjecta
Subject Lichen Moth
Cisthene subjecta, commonly known as the subject lichen moth, is a small tiger moth in the family Erebidae. It was first described by Francis Walker in 1854. The species is endemic to the southeastern United States and is active year-round as an adult. With a wingspan of approximately 12 mm, it belongs to a genus whose members have been documented to produce acoustic warning signals to deter bat predators.
Cisthene tenuifascia schwarziorum
Cisthene tenuifascia schwarziorum is a subspecies of lichen moth in the family Erebidae. As a member of the genus Cisthene, it belongs to a group of small, often brightly patterned tiger moths. The genus Cisthene is part of the tribe Lithosiini, which includes species commonly known as lichen moths due to their frequent association with lichen-covered substrates. This subspecies was described from populations in the southwestern United States.
Composia
Tiger moths
Composia is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, established by Jacob Hübner in 1820. The genus contains at least three described species: Composia credula, Composia fidelissima, and Composia utowana. These moths belong to the subfamily Arctiinae, a group historically treated as the family Arctiidae but now classified within Erebidae. Members are found in the Americas, with records primarily from North America and the Neotropics.
Cosmosoma achemon
Cosmosoma achemon is a moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1781. It occurs in the Neotropical region, with a range extending from the Antilles through northern South America to Santarém in Pará, Brazil. As a member of the genus Cosmosoma, it belongs to a group of tiger moths often noted for bright coloration and warning patterns associated with chemical defense.
Ctenucha
ctenucha moths
Ctenucha is a genus of diurnal tiger moths in the family Erebidae, historically classified in family Arctiidae. The genus name derives from Greek, meaning "having a comb," referring to the showy antennae of some species. Adults are frequently observed visiting flowers for nectar, particularly goldenrod in autumn. Many species exhibit aposematic coloration and wasp-like appearance, serving as Müllerian mimics. The genus contains over 50 described species distributed primarily in the Americas.
Ctenucha brunnea
Brown Ctenucha, Brown-winged Ctenucha
Ctenucha brunnea is a diurnal moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Richard Harper Stretch in 1872. It is endemic to coastal California, where it replaces the closely related Ctenucha multifaria in central to southern regions. Adults are notable for their metallic blue bodies, red heads, and brown wings. The species has a documented association with specific host plants for both adult nectar feeding and larval development.