Thursday 8 August 2024

Look Out For Jersey Tigers in the Touraine Loire Valley

Jersey Tiger Moths Euplagia quadripunctaria (Fr. Ecaille chinée) are found in Europe and the Middle East.

Jersey Tiger Moth Euplagia quadripunctata, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.
 

When they are at rest they sit with their wings flat, in a triangle, and the front wings obscuring the hind wings. The front wings are zebra striped and the hind wings are bright orange red with black blotches. Both sexes look the same.

It is a moth of woodland clearings and scrub, flying both day and night. The caterpillars eat nettles, plants in the mint and willowherb families. The adult moths feed on nectar from flowers in gardens and fallow land. They are particular attracted to thistles, knapweeds, oregano and hemp agrimony.

It is a migratory species. It is not scarce, so not protected but there is some concern about how habitat loss is affecting it.

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