| Garden tiger moth - Arctia caja - Family: Arctiidae
   Garden tiger moth - Arctia caja© Rob Petley-JonesThis spectacular moth is widespread and common throughout the country, flying in July and August, but is getting rarer in the south, possibly due to global warming. Although its markings are very varied, which has led to many learned studies, the moth's forewings are usually brown, crossed with white lines, while the back ones are red or occasionally yellow, with big black spots which have deep-blue centres. It flies mainly at night but is often found during the day, so it can be mistaken for a butterfly. From April to June it produces a brood of fat, black, hairy caterpillars which are known as woolly bears. The hairs on the back are long and white, underlain by shorter black ones, while those along the side are reddish. These hairs may cause skin irritation, so beware! The caterpillars can often be seen basking on leaves in the spring, or moving across paths in search of pupation sites. They feed on a wide variety of wild and garden plants. FoodCaterpillar: various plants like docks, dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) and bramble. It will even feed on sunflowers and hollyhocks. PlantsCommon nettle, Dandelion, Henbit dead-nettle, Nipplewort, Red dead-nettle, Sunflower, White dead-nettle PredatorsSpiders and harvestmen |
