Description
The cream spot tiger moth is nocturnal. Like most
tiger moths it has bright yellow to orange under wings, with several black spots on it, that are used to scare of enemies. Eggs are laid together a large number. After
some time the larvae (caterpillars) will hatch and will do little more than eating. These caterpillars have long dark
brown to gray hair and they must
molt to grow. The caterpillars
rest during the winter, and after that start eating again. For
pupal stage they spin a cocoon of silk, in which their long hair is also used.
Size
Wingspan about 60 mm.
Habitat
This tiger moth may be found in areas with low shrubs and
vegetation. Caterpillars feed on various low-growing herbal plants.
Flight season
From May to July.
Foodplants
The caterpillars feed on many different kinds of herbs, including Lamium album (white dead-nettle)
Stellaria media (chickweed), Hieracium (hawkweed), Ballota nigra (horehound) and Senecio (ragworts).
Distribution
Europe and North Africa.