Tuesday 6 July 2010

The Cinnabar Moth

Tyria jacobaeae, the cinnabar moth

the cinnabar moth, Tyria jacobaeae

I first noticed a day-flying cinnabar moth a few weeks ago but as usual I was too slow to take a photo! Luckily I spotted another in the garden at the weekend. The caterpillars feed on ragwort and after a quick search I discovered a couple of plants at the end of the garden :-)

15 comments:

Rick (Ratty) said...

This is a very nice looking moth. I like the colors. Dracula would love a cloak like that.

Unknown said...

I have noticed a wealth of unusual moths so far this year. According to the 'old wives' tales - the more moths around the hotter the weather will become. That appears to have been the case over the last week or so.

Love the picture, as always your pictures are always so clear and sharp! - I know this moth as a Burnet. There are several varieties including one with transparent wings. The family comes under: Zygaenidae and include the Forester moths.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/family/Zygaenidae

Sharkbytes (TM) said...

I don't know that one- very pretty!

C.B. said...

The scarlet against the dark is quite distinct.

Paul said...

I wonder if those colors are used to attract mates, or as a warning that the moth contains some kind of poison if eaten,.. either way, nice catch! :)

Leslie said...

Cool colors. Do they come in any other colors? Pretty!

Joanne Olivieri said...

I'm with Ratty, the first thing that came to my mind was Dracula's cloak. Love the colors.

rainfield61 said...

Yours is not anonymous.

Øyvind said...

That was an awesome moth, it looks like a cartoon superhero.

RE - RecycledFrockery said...

ooooooooooooo,,, pretty

Tina said...

cinnabar is that a species of butterfly? its beautiful. never saw one of that colour before.

Tina from
Mummy Diaries
Gossip Avenue
Travel Shack
Game FreakZ

Anonymous said...

Now that is a cool looking moth :)

Diane said...

That is really pretty! I have never seen one like that!

Diane from: http://mehimandthecats.blogspot.com/

ashok said...

Beautiful pics - thanks for sharing, it's been stumbled and placed on reddit.

Joy said...

I've never seen a more colourful moth! I will certainly paying more attention when they are around.

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