Virgin Tiger Moth
Apantesis virgo
This moth can emit high-frequency ultrasonic clicks from its tymbal organs to jam the echolocation sonar of hunting bats, rendering itself invisible in the dark.
- Scientific name
- Apantesis virgo
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Lepidoptera › Erebidae › Apantesis
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Deciduous forests, woodland edges, damp meadows, and suburban gardens.
- Diet
- Caterpillars feed on low-growing herbaceous plants including dandelions, plantains, and clover. Adults have reduced mouthparts and rarely feed, living off stored larval fat.
- Range
- Eastern North America, Great Lakes Region, Southern Canada
- Size
- Wingspan of 4.5 to 6.5 cm (1.75 to 2.5 inches)
- Lifespan
- 1 year (predominantly as larva and pupa; adults live only 1 to 2 weeks)
- Active
- nocturnal
- Threats
- Light pollution disrupting mating behaviors, habitat loss, and broad-spectrum pesticide use.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless to humans. The adult moth is safe to observe closely, though its bright colors warn predators of its toxicity. The bristly caterpillars should be handled with care, as their stiff hairs can cause mild skin irritation; if contact occurs, wash the affected area with soap and water.
Grammia virgo , the virgin tiger moth , is a moth of the family Erebidae. It is found from Newfoundland south to Florida west to Alberta.
Photo: Alicia Ballard, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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