Insect · GBIF taxon 1811079
Giant Leopard Moth
Hypercompe scriboniaAlso known as Eyed Tiger Moth, Great Leopard Moth
Dazzling contrast defines the giant leopard moth, whose snowy white wings are peppered with iridescent black rings and solid spots. When threatened, adults curl up defensively to reveal a vivid abdomen painted in metallic blue and orange. Late in the year, the bristly black and red caterpillars hibernate beneath fallen logs and leaf litter before pupating in spring.
NocturnalPatternedMoth
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Plantain leaves
- Dandelion leaves
- Willow foliage
Predators
- Bats
- Birds
- Spiders
ThreatsLight pollution, habitat fragmentation, pesticide exposure
HabitatsDeciduous woodlands, gardens, meadows, thickets
Life span1–2 years
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyErebidae
- GenusHypercompe
- SpeciesHypercompe scribonia
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Night Viewing: Hang an illuminated white sheet outside after dark to attract adults.
- Safe Handling: Avoid squeezing the black caterpillar to prevent uncomfortable pricks from its stiff spines.
- Daytime Spotting: Look for adults resting motionless on shaded walls or tree trunks at dawn.
Close Relative "Woolly Bear Caterpillar Spotted!" by soomness is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by Liubov Ilminska · cc0
Close Relative (c) Jon Sullivan, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Keep collecting in Fauna
Found in Collections
Species set
Moonlight Marvels
Giant Leopard Moth is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
—/7
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.