Fun Harnessed Tiger Moth Facts For Kids
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The harnessed tiger moth (scientific name Apantesis phalerata) belongs to the family Erebidae. It is found in parts of North America like Quebec, Ontario, Florida, the west part of Texas, Maine, and South Dakota.
There is no specific habitat of the harnessed tiger moth observed. Just like other moths and butterflies, this species or family is known to go through metamorphosis and four life cycle stages, which are egg, larva or caterpillar, pupa, and adult.
This species or family is known for its colors. The forewing of this species is known to be black in color and is bordered with a cream-colored line.
The collar part is known to have one black spot on each or both sides. The hindwing is known to have a wash that is pinkish in color and is on the inner line or margin.
There are some black patches or spots in the subterminal area. The harnessed tiger moth caterpillar is known to be fully covered with hair that looks like bristles of a brush.
The caterpillar is grayish-blackish in color and the hair is yellowish in color. A thin stripe that is yellow or orangish in color run across from the head to rear.
The caterpillars of this species are known to feed on the leaves of plantains, dandelions, corn, clovers, grasses, shrubs, crops, and trees. The larvae are known to feed on Spartium, Trifolium, Plantago, and Taraxacum.
Continue reading to discover more interesting facts about the harnessed tiger moth (Apantesis phalerata). If you fine these interesting, read about the American dagger moth and the Io moth for more fascinating moth facts.
Harnessed Tiger Moth Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a harnessed tiger moth?
The harnessed tiger moth (Apantesis phalerata) is a moth or an insect.
What class of animal does a harnessed tiger moth belong to?
A harnessed tiger moth belongs to the class of Insecta.
How many harnessed tiger moths are there in the world?
There is no exact count available for the population of these tiger moths in the world.
Where does a harnessed tiger moth live?
This tiger moth species is found in parts of North America like Quebec, Ontario, Florida, Maine, Texas, and South Dakota.
What is a harnessed tiger moth's habitat?
The habitat of this tiger moth species is unknown.
Who do harnessed tiger moths live with?
Moths, in general, are known to be solitary.
How long does a harnessed tiger moth live?
Adult tiger moths are known to live for about five to 10 days.
How do they reproduce?
There is not a lot of information about the reproduction of these tiger moths, but just like other butterflies and moth species, these tiger moths also go through metamorphosis and four stages of a life cycle which are egg, larva or caterpillar, pupa, and adult. Larval hair is used to make, build, or construct the cocoon.
What is their conservation status?
These moths are placed under the Not Extinct category of conservation status by the IUCN.
Harnessed Tiger Moth Fun Facts
What do harnessed tiger moths look like?
The harnessed tiger moth (Apantesis phalerata) is known to have a forewing that is black in color and is bordered with cream or coastal color. The lines are known to extend from the base in males and these borders are known to be light cream in females.
The coastal border might touch the edge of the wing or might not in some moths. The collar part is known to have one black spot on each or both sides.
The hindwing is known to have a wash that is pinkish in color and is on the inner margin. There are some black patches or spots in the subterminal area.
Caterpillars are known to be covered fully with hair that looks like bristles of a brush. The caterpillar is grayish-blackish in color and the hair is yellowish in color. A thin stripe that is yellow or orangish in color run across from the head to rear.
How cute are they?
These moths are not considered cute. However, harnessed tiger moths have patterns on their wings which make them pretty to look at.
How do they communicate?
There is not much known about the communication of these tiger moths.
How big is a harnessed tiger moth?
These moths are small insects and their exact measurements are not known. They can be smaller than a luna moth and an imperial moth.
How fast can harnessed tiger moths fly?
The speed of this tiger moth is unknown, but their wingspan is around 1.2-1.7 in (30-42 mm).
How much does a harnessed tiger moth weigh?
The weight of this North American tiger moth is unknown.
What are the male and female names of the species?
Males and females of this species do not have any specific names.
What would you call a baby harnessed tiger moth?
The baby of this species is referred to as larvae, caterpillar, or pupa.
What do they eat?
These North American tiger moths or caterpillars are known to feed on the leaves of plantains, dandelions, corn, clovers, grasses, shrubs, crops, and trees. The larvae are known to feed on Spartium, Trifolium, Plantago, and Taraxacum.
Are they dangerous?
Not much is known about this moth being dangerous or not.
Would they make a good pet?
These moths are quite uncommon as pets and thus, not much is known about how these moths cope in captivity.
Did you know...
This species was first described in 1841 by Thaddeus William Harris.
These moths are known to fly from April to September, however this depends on the location.
One of the related species, the scarlet tiger moth, is known to be a rare species.
Are tiger moths bad for the garden?
It is believed that tiger moths can use various plants and trees as larval host plants and so, they are considered bad for the garden.
What does a tiger moth turn into?
All moth species go through metamorphosis and four life cycle stages. These stages are eggs, larvae or caterpillar, pupa, and then adult.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other arthropods from our gypsy moth facts and puss moth facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable harnessed tiger moth coloring pages.
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