Invertebrates
Cinnabar Moth
Tyria jacobaeae · also called cinnabar
On a stand of yellow ragwort in July, bold black-and-orange cinnabar caterpillars strip the leaves while crimson-and-black adult moths flutter by in the sunshine, both advertising their bad taste.
Overview
The cinnabar moth, Tyria jacobaeae, is a Not Evaluated moth of grassland and waste ground across Europe and western Asia. Its warning colours, ragwort-eating caterpillars, and use as a biological control agent make it one of the best-known day-flying moths.
A moth that borrows poison
By eating ragwort and storing its toxins, the cinnabar moth makes itself unpalatable, and its bright colours warn predators to leave it alone.
Status
Not Evaluated globally, though it has declined in parts of Britain.
Cinnabar Moth: common questions
Why are cinnabar caterpillars banded orange and black?
The bold banding is a warning to predators that the caterpillars store toxic chemicals from the ragwort they eat.
Does the cinnabar moth fly by day?
Yes, it flies in daylight, which is unusual for a moth, and is often seen on ragwort in summer.
Why was the cinnabar moth introduced overseas?
It was introduced to Australia, New Zealand, and North America to help control ragwort.
Where is the cinnabar moth found?
It lives in grassland, dunes, and waste ground across Europe and western Asia, with introduced populations in Australia, New Zealand, and North America.