Brown Tiger Moth - Hodges#8139
Spilosoma pteridis
This record describes Spilosoma pteridis (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
head and thorax rusty orange; forewing dark reddish-brown with blackish shading and faint lines; discal spot black, indistinct hindwing dark charcoal gray with black discal spot and brown fringe
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Arctiinae
- Tribe
- Arctiini
- Genus
- Spilosoma
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
moist meadows and clearings in coniferous forests; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light
Geographic Range
British Columbia to Saskatchewan, south to northern California; one record from Manitoba
Seasonal Activity
adults fly in May and June
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of Fireweed ( Epilobium angustifolium ) and other herbaceous plants
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: PTERIDIS: from the Greek "pteris, pteridos" (a fern); I don't know the connection between this species and ferns
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Spilosoma pteridis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Brown Tiger Moth - Hodges#8139 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Bob Patterson , Steve Nanz , ceiseman
Frequently Asked Questions About Brown Tiger Moth - Hodges#8139
What is Brown Tiger Moth - Hodges#8139?
Brown Tiger Moth - Hodges#8139 (Spilosoma pteridis) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Brown Tiger Moth - Hodges#8139?
wingspan about 32 mm
How do you identify Brown Tiger Moth - Hodges#8139?
head and thorax rusty orange; forewing dark reddish-brown with blackish shading and faint lines; discal spot black, indistinct hindwing dark charcoal gray with black discal spot and brown fringe
Where is Brown Tiger Moth - Hodges#8139 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | moist meadows and clearings in coniferous forests; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light |
| Range | British Columbia to Saskatchewan, south to northern California; one record from Manitoba |
What does Brown Tiger Moth - Hodges#8139 eat?
The diet of the Brown Tiger Moth - Hodges#8139 includes larvae feed on leaves of Fireweed ( Epilobium angustifolium ) and other herbaceous plants.
When is Brown Tiger Moth - Hodges#8139 active?
Brown Tiger Moth - Hodges#8139: seasonal activity - adults fly in May and June.