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Arctiidae - Tiger Moths

There are around 11,000 species of small to medium-sized moths in this family. They are found in all parts of the world.

Many species are brightly colored and have stripes, spots, or bands on their wings.

Many of the caterpillars in this family are thickly furred. The caterpillar of the Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella) is the familiar banded woolly bear caterpillar.

  • Carlotta's tiger moth is found from Maine to Georgia, west to North Dakota and Texas. It is found in New Hampshire.
    Carlotta's Tiger Moth
    (Apantesis carlotta)
    Carlotta's tiger moth is found from Maine to Georgia, west to North Dakota and Texas. It is found in New Hampshire.
  • The Parthenice tiger moth has black forewings with white lines and orange hindwings edged in black spots. It is found in south-eastern Canada, and the eastern United States, including New Hampshire.
    Parthenice Tiger Moth
    (Apantesis parthenice)
    The Parthenice tiger moth has black forewings with white lines and orange hindwings edged in black spots. It is found in south-eastern Canada, and the eastern United States, including New Hampshire.
  • The Phyllira tiger moth is found in the eastern U.S. and southeastern Canada. It is found in New Hampshire.
    Phyllira Tiger Moth
    (Apantesis phyllira)
    The Phyllira tiger moth is found in the eastern U.S. and southeastern Canada. It is found in New Hampshire.
  • The little virgin tiger moth is found from Newfoundland to North Carolina in the mountains, west to South Dakota, north to Alberta and Yukon Territory. It is found in New Hampshire.
    Little Virgin Tiger Moth
    (Apantesis virguncula)
    The little virgin tiger moth is found from Newfoundland to North Carolina in the mountains, west to South Dakota, north to Alberta and Yukon Territory. It is found in New Hampshire.
  • The painted tiger moth is found in the western U.S.
    Painted Tiger Moth
    (Arachnis picta)
    The painted tiger moth is found in the western U.S.
  • The garden tiger moth has white forewings with brown spots and orange hind wings with blue spots. It is found in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. It is found in New Hampshire.
    Garden Tiger Moth
    (Arctia caja)
    The garden tiger moth has white forewings with brown spots and orange hind wings with blue spots. It is found in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. It is found in New Hampshire.
  • The little white lichen moth is found in southern Canada and across much of the U.S., including New Hampshire.
    Little White Lichen Moth
    (Clemensia albata)
    The little white lichen moth is found in southern Canada and across much of the U.S., including New Hampshire.
  • The Virginia ctenucha is found in eastern North America, from Newfoundland south to Virginia. It is found in New Hampshire.
    Virginia Ctenucha
    (Ctenucha virginica)
    The Virginia ctenucha is found in eastern North America, from Newfoundland south to Virginia. It is found in New Hampshire.
  • The Virginiactenucha caterpillar feeds ongrasses,sedges, and irises.
    Virginia Ctenucha
    (Ctenucha virginica)
    The Virginiactenucha caterpillar feeds ongrasses,sedges, and irises.
  • The dogbane tiger moth is also known as the delicate cycnia. It is found across North America, from southern British Columbia to Nova Scotia southwards to Arizona and Florida. It is found in New Hampshire.
    Dogbane Tiger Moth
    (Cycnia tenera)
    The dogbane tiger moth is also known as the delicate cycnia. It is found across North America, from southern British Columbia to Nova Scotia southwards to Arizona and Florida. It is found in New Hampshire.
  • The black-winged Dahana is found in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina.
    Black Winged Dahana
    (Dahana atripennis)
    The black-winged Dahana is found in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina.
  • The salt marsh moth is also known as the acrea moth. It is found in North America, from Canada south to Mexico. It is found in New Hampshire. The salt marsh moth caterpillar can range in color from from pale yellow to rusty orange brown to dark brownish black.
    Salt Marsh Moth
    (Estigmene acrea)
    The salt marsh moth is also known as the acrea moth. It is found in North America, from Canada south to Mexico. It is found in New Hampshire. The salt marsh moth caterpillar can range in color from from pale yellow to rusty orange brown to dark brownish black.
  • The milkweed tussock moth is found in the eastern half of U.S. and Quebec and Ontario in Canada. It is found in new Hampshire.
    Milkweed Tussock Moth
    (Euchaetes egle)
    The milkweed tussock moth is found in the eastern half of U.S. and Quebec and Ontario in Canada. It is found in new Hampshire.
  • The milkweed tussock moth caterpillar feeds on milkweed.
    Milkweed Tussock Moth
    (Euchaetes egle)
    The milkweed tussock moth caterpillar feeds on milkweed.
  • The sycamore tussock moth is found in the eastern U.S., including in New Hampshire.
    Sycamore Tussock Moth
    (Halysidota harrisii)
    The sycamore tussock moth is found in the eastern U.S., including in New Hampshire.
  • The giant leopard moth is found from southern Ontario, and southern and eastern United States through New England, Mexico, and south to Colombia. It is found in new Hampshire.
    Giant Leopard Moth
    (Hypercompe scribonia)
    The giant leopard moth is found from southern Ontario, and southern and eastern United States through New England, Mexico, and south to Colombia. It is found in new Hampshire.
  • The giant leopard moth caterpillar has a thick coat of black bristles with orange bands separating its segments.
    Giant Leopard Moth
    (Hypercompe scribonia)
    The giant leopard moth caterpillar has a thick coat of black bristles with orange bands separating its segments.
  • The fall webworm moth is found across the U.S. as well as in southern Canada and northern Mexico. It is found in New Hampshire. It was introduced to Yugoslavia in the 1940s and is now found across much of Europe and in parts of Asia.
    Fall Webworm Moth
    (Hyphantria cunea)
    The fall webworm moth is found across the U.S. as well as in southern Canada and northern Mexico. It is found in New Hampshire. It was introduced to Yugoslavia in the 1940s and is now found across much of Europe and in parts of Asia.
  • The fall webworm caterpillar has both long and short bristles. It can range in color from pale yellow to dark gray.
    Fall Webworm Moth
    (Hyphantria cunea)
    The fall webworm caterpillar has both long and short bristles. It can range in color from pale yellow to dark gray.
  • The painted lichen moth is found in southern Canada and the U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains. It is found in New Hampshire.
    Painted Lichen Moth
    (Hypoprepia fucosa)
    The painted lichen moth is found in southern Canada and the U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains. It is found in New Hampshire.
  • The black-and-yellow lichen moth is often seen on flowers like goldenrod. It is found in North America from Nova Scotia to North Carolina, west to South Dakota and Texas. It is found in New Hampshire.
    Black-and-yellow Lichen Moth
    (Lycomorpha pholus)
    The black-and-yellow lichen moth is often seen on flowers like goldenrod. It is found in North America from Nova Scotia to North Carolina, west to South Dakota and Texas. It is found in New Hampshire.
  • The ruby tiger moth caterpillar is found on goldenrod, ironweed, plantain, skunk cabbage, and sunflowers. It is found in eastern U.S. and Canada, including New Hampshire.
    Ruby Tiger Moth
    (Phragmatobia fuliginosa)
    The ruby tiger moth caterpillar is found on goldenrod, ironweed, plantain, skunk cabbage, and sunflowers. It is found in eastern U.S. and Canada, including New Hampshire.
  • The Isabella tiger moth is found in the United States and southern Canada.It isfound in New Hampshire.
    Isabella Tiger Moth
    (Pyrrharctia Isabella)
    The Isabella tiger moth is found in the United States and southern Canada.It isfound in New Hampshire.
  • The caterpillar of the Isabella tiger moth caterpillar is known as the banded woolly bear.
    Isabella Tiger Moth
    (Pyrrharctia Isabella)
    The caterpillar of the Isabella tiger moth caterpillar is known as the banded woolly bear.
  • The agreeable tiger moth is white with black eyes and an orange patch under its head. It is found in the United States and Canada. It is found in New Hampshire.
    Agreeable Tiger Moth
    (Spilosoma congrua)
    The agreeable tiger moth is white with black eyes and an orange patch under its head. It is found in the United States and Canada. It is found in New Hampshire.
  • The dubious tiger moth is found in Canada and the eastern U.S. It is found in New Hampshire.
    Dubious Tiger Moth
    (Spilosoma dubia)
    The dubious tiger moth is found in Canada and the eastern U.S. It is found in New Hampshire.
  • The Virginian tiger moth is found across much of the U.S., including in New Hampshire.
    Virginian Tiger Moth
    (Spilosoma virginica)
    The Virginian tiger moth is found across much of the U.S., including in New Hampshire.
  • The Virginian tiger moth caterpillar is known as the yellow woollybear.
    Virginian Tiger Moth
    (Spilosoma virginica)
    The Virginian tiger moth caterpillar is known as the yellow woollybear.
  • The Cinnabar moth is native to Europe and Asia. It has been introduced into New Zealand, Australia and North America to control ragwort.
    Cinnabar Moth
    (Tyria jacobaeae)
    The Cinnabar moth is native to Europe and Asia. It has been introduced into New Zealand, Australia and North America to control ragwort.
  • The Bella moth is found from Connecticut westward to southeastern Nebraska, and southward to southern New Mexico and Florida.
    Bella Moth
    (Utetheisa ornatrix)
    The Bella moth is found from Connecticut westward to southeastern Nebraska, and southward to southern New Mexico and Florida.
  • The orange holomelina is found in eastern North America. It is found in New Hampshire.
    Orange Holomelina
    (Virbia aurantiaca)
    The orange holomelina is found in eastern North America. It is found in New Hampshire.
  • The tawny holomelina is found in oak forests. It is found in New Hampshire.
    Tawny Holomelina
    (Virbia opella)
    The tawny holomelina is found in oak forests. It is found in New Hampshire.

Did You Know?

Many species in this family, like this Bella Moth, are brightly colored and have stripes, spots, or bands on their wings.
Many species in this family, like this Bella Moth, are brightly colored and have stripes, spots, or bands on their wings.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

No animals found.

Other Species Around the World

No animals found.

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