The Cinnabar Moth
Tyria jacobaeae
Common
Description
The Cinnabar moth caterpillar is one of the easiest to identify thanks to its "convict-like" appearance. Its body is entirely covered in alternating bright orange-yellow and black rings. This so-called "aposematic" coloration serves as a visual warning to predators, signaling its toxicity. Although its body may appear smooth from a distance, it has sparse hair consisting of a few fairly long but thin black and white bristles (setae). It is usually observed in dense groups on the stems of Ragwort, its favorite host plant. These caterpillars are so voracious that they can completely strip a plant bare, leaving only the stems before moving on to a new one. At the end of summer, once its growth is complete, it leaves its plant to burrow into the leaf litter or under moss to pupate.
Information
| Family | Erebidae |
|---|---|
| Size | 2–3 cm |
| Hairiness | poil_ras |
| Observation period | June to August |
| Distribution | Throughout France and almost all of Europe. |
| Toxicity | Yes |
| Rarity | Common |
Host plants
- Ragwort
- Coltsfoot
Notes
Harmless to the touch, but toxic if ingested.