Arctia caja

Arctia caja, the garden tiger moth, is a colorful species ranging widely in North America and Europe. The caterpillars are black with long yellow to red setae ("hairs"), leading them to be nicknamed "Wooly bears". Larval forms of the garden tiger moth are generalists when it comes to their diet, but also contain toxic compounds within them that they obtain through the consumption of foxglove, daisies, or plantago. The larva pupates in a silken cocoon covered with its setae.

Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Noctuidae
Species: Arctia caja

Photograph: © 2010 RKD Peterson
Date of Photograph: 13 August 2010
Location: Montana, Gallatin Co.

Arctia caja. © 2010 RKD Peterson