Banded Tiger Moth - (Apantesis vittata)

The flash of bright color on the hindwings of the Banded Tiger Moth adds more intrigue to this uniquely patterned moth.

Staff Writer (8/18/2017): Though each species of Tiger Moth has its own pattern, it can be hard to see the differences between the banding patterns of species in the same genus. This species is a dark-brown, medium-sized moth with ivory bands do not stretch the full length of the wing. The bottom of the forewings have an ivory edge border. This species rests with its forewings covering the hindwings. When the hindwings are visible, they are bright pink to yellow, giving the moth a pop of color.

Adults can be seen flying near flowers and above lawns as well as through meadows, parks and fields from spring into autumn. The caterpillars eat dandelions and a variety of other herbs before pupating into their flying adult forms.

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Details of the:
Banded Tiger Moth

Category: Butterfly or Moth
Common name: Banded Tiger Moth
Scientific Name: Apantesis vittata

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Lepidoptera

Family: Arctiidae

Genus: Apantesis

Species: vittata

Size (Adult, Length): 32mm to 42mm (1.26in to 1.65in)

Identifying Colors: black, ivory, pink, yellow

Additional Descriptors: banded, striped, lined, red, furry, flying

North American Reach (Though Not Limited To*): Alabama; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maine; Maryland; Michigan; Minnesota; Mississippi; North Carolina; Pennsylvania; South Carolina; Tennessee; Virginia; West Virginia

* Keep in mind that an insect's reach is not limited by lines on a map and therefore may appear in areas/regions/states beyond those listed above.

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