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Tiger Moth
(John Obermeyer, Purdue University)
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Common Name: Tiger Moth

Order: Lepidoptera

Family: Arctiidae


Pest Status: Tiger moths are not considered pests.

Appearance: Adults have dark forewings with large, white splotches and bands. The hindwings are white.

Life Cycle: Tiger moths overwinter as caterpillars. Woolybear caterpillars in the fall are thought to indicate the severity of the oncoming winter by the proportion of red-brown to black on their bodies. They pupate in the spring and shortly thereafter they emerge as adults.

Where to Collect: Tiger moths can be found near downed logs, loose bark, or firewood in the spring time. Later in the year they occur in gardens and landscapes.