Home / Erebidae Moths / Ruby Tiger Moth (Phragmatobia fuliginosa)

Ruby Tiger Moth (Phragmatobia fuliginosa)

The ruby tiger moth is a member of the Erebidae moth family. It can be spotted during the day flying in open habitats.

Ruby Tiger Moth

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Scientific Classification


  • Family: Erebidae
  • Genus: Phragmatobia
  • Scientific Name: Phragmatobia fuliginosa

Description and Identification

Caterpillar

Larvae have black-brown heads, with their gray body being covered with fox-red hairs. The body color can be light or dark and varies from specimen to specimen.

Ruby Tiger Moth Caterpillar
Ruby Tiger Moth Pupa

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Pupa

The pupae are black with a segmented yellow abdomen.

Ruby Tiger Moth Pupa

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Adult Moth

Sexual Dimorphism: Present but not prominent.

Color and Appearance

Forewings: When the wings are open, it is observed that they are a dark reddish-brown, densely scaled, and have a black spot near the apex of the wing. When closed, the rose-red edges of the wings become more prominent.

Hindwings: When open, the wings are bright carmine, with black spots. When closed, the patterns become less visible.

Average wingspan: 35–45 mm

Flight pattern: Erratic

Season: May to August 

Phragmatobia fuliginosa

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Egg

The eggs of these moths are reddish-gray.

Ruby Tiger Moth Eggs

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Quick Facts

DistributionThe Palearctic region, including Central Asia, Europe, North Africa, Russia, Tibet, and northern areas of North America.
HabitatDownlands, gardens, heathlands, moorlands, sand-dunes, water meadows, and woodland clearings
Lifespan of Adults5 days
Host PlantsBlackthorn, creeping willow, dock, European blackberry, goldenrod, ironweed, meadowsweet, plantain, skunk cabbage, sunflowers, and sweetgale
Adult DietDoes not feed

Did You Know

  • The ruby tiger moth has several subspecies throughout the world, including:
    • Phragmatobia fuliginosa borealis (Scotland and northern Eurasia)
    • Phragmatobia fuliginosa melitensis (Malta)
    • Phragmatobia fuliginosa paghmani (Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, northern Iraq, southern Kazakhstan, and western Xinjiang in China)
    • Phragmatobia fuliginosa pulverulenta (Nei Mongol, Qinghai, and eastern Xinjiang in China, parts of eastern Kazakhstan and Mongolia)
    • Phragmatobia fuliginosa rubricosa (North America)
    • Phragmatobia fuliginosa taurica (From southern Turkey to Palestina in the Near East)
Ruby Tiger Moth Picture

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Ruby Tiger Moth Image

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