Moths
 
Tiger Moths 
  
ARCTIIDAE
Arctiinae 
Magpie Moth
Heliotrope Moth
Donovan's Amsacta
Lithosiinae 
Tiger Lichen Moth
LittleWhiteLichenMoth
Bird-droppingLichenMoth
Ctenuchinae 
Orange Spotted Tiger 1
Orange Spotted Tiger 2
Orange Spotted Tiger 3
Orange Spotted Tiger 4
 
AGANAIDAE
Yellow Tiger Moth
Two-spots Tiger Moth
 

                                               

Tiger Moths - Family Arctiidae

This page contains pictures and information about Tiger Moths that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.

Tiger Moths are small to medium in size.  Many have bright warning colour patterns, which are spotted in red, orange, black or white. Their stout abdomen usually striped with black and yellow-red colour. The stripes give rise to the name "Tiger Moths". They are either distasteful or to predator or are mimic of distasteful species. Some even produce foul chemical. 

Most Tiger Moths fly at night but some are day-fliers. They do not fly very fast.

Most Caterpillars of the ARCTIIDAE are covered in dense dark hairs, which gives them the name "Woolly Bears". The hairs can cause irritation in sensitive skin. The caterpillars are small to medium size. The caterpillars usually active during the daytime. If disturbed, they will roll into a tight spiral. 

Most ARCTIIDAE caterpillars feed on herbaceous plants and easy to rear. Some are feed on mosses and algae, which they need more moisture environment. They pupate in a loosen silken cocoon made of their hairs and other plants materials.

There are three subfamilies in Australia. 


Subfamily ARCTIINAE


Subfamily LITHOSIINAE


Subfamily CTENUCHINAE


 

Reference:
1. Insects of Australia, CSIRO, Division of Entomology, Melbourne University Press, 2nd Edition 1991, p908.  
2. ARCTIIDAE - Some Australian Moths from South-East Queensland, Ian McMillan, 2006 

 

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Last updated: July 28, 2007.