Summary ²

The cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae) is a brightly coloured arctiid moth found in Europe and western and central Asia. It has been introduced into New Zealand, Australia and North America to control the poisonous and nectar-rich ragwort, on which its larvae feed. The moth is named after the red mineral cinnabar because of the red patches on its predominantly black wings. Cinnabar moths are about 20mm long and have a wingspan of 32–42 mm (1.3–1.7 in).

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Dick, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/76798465@N00/653994684
2. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyria_jacobaeae

More Info

• iNaturalist NZ taxon page
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• Pacific Northwest Moths
• UK Moths

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