Tiger-moths
Guides
Arctia
tiger moths
Arctia is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, serving as the type genus for the subtribe Arctiina, tribe Arctiini, and subfamily Arctiinae. The genus was substantially expanded in 2016 following phylogenetic studies by Rönkä et al., which synonymized several previously separate genera. Species within Arctia exhibit aposematic warning coloration and have been subjects of long-term ecological research, including a 40-year population study of Arctia virginalis in California.
Arctiina
Arctiina is a subtribe of tiger moths within the family Erebidae, historically treated as the tribe Arctiini before taxonomic reclassification lowered its rank while retaining its content. The subtribe contains approximately 5 valid genera following extensive synonymization in 2016, with species distributed across the Palaearctic and Neotropical regions. Members exhibit classic tiger moth characteristics including aposematic coloration and, in males, eversible androconial glands (coremata) used for pheromone dispersal during courtship.
Arctiinae
Tiger Moths and Allies, Tiger Moths, Woolly Bear Moths, Footmen, Lichen Moths, Wasp Moths
Arctiinae is a large and diverse subfamily of moths within the family Erebidae, comprising approximately 11,000 species worldwide. The subfamily includes tiger moths, footmen, lichen moths, and wasp moths. Many species are characterized by aposematic coloration, chemical defenses, and the production of ultrasonic sounds for defense and communication. The group was formerly classified as the family Arctiidae but was reclassified as a subfamily of Erebidae based on phylogenetic studies.
Ctenuchina
Handmaidens
Ctenuchina is a subtribe of tiger moths within the family Erebidae, commonly known as handmaidens. These moths are diurnal and exhibit striking coloration that mimics unpalatable beetles and wasps. Males possess specialized scent-dispersing structures called androconia, used in pheromone communication during courtship. The group is taxonomically diverse, with many species distributed in the Neotropical region.
Erebidae
Underwing, Tiger, Tussock, and Allied Moths
Erebidae is among the largest families of moths by species count, encompassing diverse macromoth groups formerly classified across multiple families. The family includes underwings (Catocala), tiger moths and wasp moths (Arctiinae), tussock moths (Lymantriinae), litter moths (Herminiinae), fruit-piercing moths (Calpinae), and snout moths (Hypeninae). Adults range dramatically in size from 6 mm to over 300 mm wingspan. Coloration spans from cryptic browns and grays to vivid aposematic patterns. The family was reconstituted in 2010 through phylogenetic studies that revealed the former Noctuidae to be paraphyletic, with Arctiinae, Lymantriinae, and related lineages more closely related to each other than to core noctuids.
Hypocrita
Hypocrita is a genus of tiger moths established by Jacob Hübner in 1807. The genus belongs to the family Erebidae (formerly Arctiidae) and contains multiple species distributed across various regions. Some species have been reclassified over time, such as Hypocrita phoenicides. The genus includes the cinnabar moth (Hypocrita jacobaeae), a well-known biological control agent for tansy ragwort.
Lithosiina
lichen moths
Lithosiina is a subtribe of lichen moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Gustaf Johan Billberg in 1820. Members are commonly known as lichen moths due to their cryptic coloration. The subtribe was previously classified as the tribe Lithosiini within the subfamily Lithosiinae of the family Arctiidae, reflecting ongoing taxonomic revisions in the tiger moth group. It is a well-documented group with over 130,000 observations on iNaturalist.
Lymire
Edwards' wasp moth (Lymire edwardsii)
Lymire is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Francis Walker in 1854. The genus contains approximately 13 described species distributed primarily in the Americas. The most well-documented species, Lymire edwardsii (Edwards' wasp moth), is known as a significant pest of Ficus trees in Florida. Most species in this genus remain poorly studied with limited biological data available.
Nelphe
Nelphe is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Gottlieb August Wilhelm Herrich-Schäffer in 1858. The genus is currently treated as a synonym of Eucereon by some taxonomic authorities, including GBIF and Catalogue of Life. Two species have been historically placed in this genus: Nelphe carolina (Little Carol's wasp moth) and Nelphe relegatum. The genus belongs to the tribe Arctiini within the subfamily Arctiinae.
Pericopina
pericopine tiger moths, pericopines
Pericopina is a subtribe of tiger moths within the family Erebidae, established by Francis Walker in 1869. Members are characterized by striking coloration patterns and participation in Müllerian mimicry rings, particularly involving diurnal black species with white spots or transparent wing patches. The group exhibits notable sexual dimorphism and polymorphism, with multiple distinct morphs occurring within single species. Larval host associations include Malpighiaceae and Bromeliaceae, though these appear to be partitioned among different species groups.
Phaegopterina
Phaegopterina is a subtribe of tiger moths within the tribe Arctiini (subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae). First described by William Forsell Kirby in 1892, it was formerly classified as the tribe Phaegopterini of family Arctiidae. The subtribe contains approximately 750 species recorded in Brazil alone, with 469 species documented in the Amazon region and 254 in the Cerrado. It includes the arctiine tussock moths, a group sometimes confused with true tussock moths (Lymantriinae). Taxonomic revisions have clarified its placement, with the proposed subtribe Euchaetina ultimately synonymized under Phaegopterina.
Pseudocharis
lesser wasp moth (for P. minima)
Pseudocharis is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, tribe Euchromiina. It was erected by Herbert Druce in 1884. The genus contains approximately nine described species distributed primarily in the Neotropics, with at least one species (P. minima) occurring in North America. Species in this genus exhibit wasp-mimicking coloration, a characteristic trait of the Euchromiina.
Spilosomina
Spilosomina is a subtribe of tiger moths within the tribe Arctiini of the family Erebidae. Members are commonly known as tiger moths and often exhibit aposematic coloration. The subtribe was formerly classified as the tribe Spilosomini in the family Arctiidae before taxonomic revision. It contains numerous genera, though the complete list remains unresolved due to unassigned arctiine genera.
Tyria
cinnabar moths
Tyria is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, best known for Tyria jacobaeae (the cinnabar moth), a specialist herbivore that has been extensively studied for its role in biological control of toxic ragwort plants. The genus contains day-flying moths with aposematic coloration warning predators of their chemical defenses. Larvae sequester pyrrolizidine alkaloids from host plants in the genus Senecio.