Fauna
Insect

Garden Tiger

Arctia caja

Also known as Great Tiger Moth, Woolly Bear Caterpillar

Garden tiger moths display bold chocolate-brown and cream forewings alongside fiery orange hindwings dotted with metallic blue spots. Their dense, hairy caterpillars, known as woolly bears, feed on plants like ragwort to accumulate distasteful alkaloids that deter predators. Active mainly at night, adults emit ultrasonic clicks to disrupt bat echolocation while navigating temperate gardens and damp meadows.

NocturnalColorfulMoth
Garden Tiger reference1 / 7
(c) carnifex, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by carnifex · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyDandelion, Stinging Nettle, Broadleaf Plantain
Predators
  • Bats
  • Birds
  • Small Mammals
ThreatsHabitat loss, light pollution, pesticide overuse, climate change
HabitatsMeadows, gardens, woodlands, grasslands, riverbanks
Life span1–2 years
Classification
  1. OrderLepidoptera
  2. FamilyErebidae
  3. GenusArctia
  4. SpeciesArctia caja
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Caterpillar hairs can irritate skin; observe woolly bear larvae without direct handling.
Why it is dangerous
Caterpillars possess dense bristles that irritate human skin and cause localized rash upon contact.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for dense black and rust-red hair covering the caterpillar body with distinct white tips.
What to do
Observe larvae using a container or magnifying glass without contacting their hairs.
Responsible observation
  • Light Trapping: Observe adult moths harmlessly by setting up a low-ultraviolet light source at night.
  • Larval Safety: Avoid handling hairy caterpillars directly to prevent minor skin irritation from bristles.
  • Habitat Care: Leave patches of stinging nettle or dandelions to support overwintering larvae.
Related species
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Moonlight Marvels

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