Tiger Moths
A name commonly applied to several moths of the tribe Bombycina (see Moths), probably on account of the bright, variegated colours of its more conspicuous members. The larvae of all the Tiger Moths are rather thick-bodied, and are closely covered with long, stiff hairs, usually brown or black, rising from numerous prominent warts along the back and sides. They feed on low plants, chiefly herbs, and seldom do much harm in gardens, as they prefer Dock, Plantains, and other weeds, rather than cultivated plants. In autumn, and again in spring, the larvae of the Common Tiger, and of the Ruby Tiger, are to be seen on every road, crawling in search of food or of safe retreats for the winter, or for pupation. When full grown, in spring or early summer, they spin slight cocoons on the food plants, or among dead leaves and surface rubbish, and in them become pupae, from which the moths emerge in two or three weeks. The species of most common occurrence in gardens are the two just mentioned.
The common Tiger (Arctia caja) varies in size from 2in. to 3in. across the fore wings, which are brown, with irregularly branching, pale cream-coloured lines and spots. The hind wings are red, with six or seven blue-black spots, of which three lie in a band parallel to the hind margin. The head is brown, with a crimson collar; the thorax is brown; and the abdomen is crimson, with a series of oblong, black spots down the middle, and a row of black dots along each side. This species is very apt to vary in the colour of the wings; in some the dark tints prevail, in others the pale. The larva of this Moth is known generally as the "Woolly Bear," from its dense coat of long hairs. The latter, on the back, are dark near their bases, grey near the tips; along the sides and near the head they are brown. The larvae hybernate while small, and feed up in spring, when they subsist on a great variety of plants in gardens. The moths usually emerge about July.
The Cream-spotted Tiger-Moth (Arctia Villica) is a little like A. caja, but smaller, as it does not exceed 2 1/2in. in spread of fore wings. This species is black, with eight cream-coloured spots. The hind wings are orange-yellow, with a few small, central, black spots, and an irregular, black band along the hind margin. The larva is a good deal like the "Woolly Bear," and, like it, feeds on various herbs.
The "Wood Tiger" (Nemeophila Plantaginis) seldom exceeds 1 1/2in. across the fore wings. These are black, with pale spots, passing into yellow at the margins. The hind wings are dull, deep yellow or orange, with velvety-black markings, in the form of black spots, along the hind margin, and at the base. The larva is hairy; the hairs near the end of the body are black, those in the middle of the body are red-brown. It feeds on low weeds, and is scarcely ever seen in gardens, as this moth frequents moors.
The Scarlet Tiger (Callimorpha Dominula) is confined to localities where the Hound's-tongue (Cynoglossum) grows. It reaches about 21/4in. across the fore wings, which are dark olive-brown, with a metallic-green lustre, and bear about ten spots, those in the centre yellow or orange, the others cream-coloured. The hind wings are crimson, with large, black spots near the margins.
The Ruby Tiger (Phragmatobia fuliginosa) differs from all the above alike in size (about 11/3in. across the front wings) and in colour. The fore wings are dull red brown, with two black dots near the middle. The hind wings are dull pink near the base, smoky-brown near the margin, and have two dark dots near the middle; the fringes are pink. The head and thorax are brown' the abdomen is pink, with one central and two lateral rows of dark spots. The larvae are yellowish-brown, smoke-coloured, or dark, and very hairy. They are often to be seen in autumn, seeking secure retreats for the winter, and in spring they emerge from their retreats to feed up. In April or May they spin loose, oval cocoons among herbage, and become dark pupae; from these the moths emerge in June. The larvae feed chiefly on low weeds, but may at times live on garden produce.
All the Tiger Moths have thick, heavy bodies. They fly at all hours by day, and also by night.
Should the larvae ever become too numerous, handpicking is the best remedy.