Jersey Tiger

Euplagia quadripunctaria

Common
Jersey Tiger — photo 1 Jersey Tiger — photo 2 Jersey Tiger — photo 3

Description

The Jersey Tiger caterpillar is black, with a pale dorsal line and a white lateral line along the flanks. The body is covered in short, dense tufts of hair growing from small orange warts. The head is black. Early instars are very inconspicuous and the caterpillar lives hidden in low vegetation. It overwinters mid-development and resumes activity in spring. Its hairs are not urticating, but unnecessary handling is still inadvisable.

Information

FamilyErebidae
Size4–5 cm
Hairinessfournie
Observation periodSeptember to May
DistributionPresent throughout France and much of Europe.
ToxicityNo
RarityCommon

Host plants

  • Nettle
  • Dandelion
  • Plantain
  • Ivy
  • Raspberry
  • Borage
  • Hazel
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