Cinnabar moth
From Freepedia
| Cinnabar Moth | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image:Cinnabar moth 800.jpg | ||||||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tyria jacobaeae Linnaeus, 1748 |
The Cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae) is a brightly coloured arctiid moth, found in Europe and western and central Asia. It has been introduced into New Zealand and Australia to control poisonous ragwort, which its larvae feed on. The moth is named after the red mineral cinnabar because of the red patches on its predominantly black wings. Cinnabar moths have a wingspan of 32-42 mm (1.3-1.7 in).
A survey is currently being undertaken in the UK as a part of National Insect Week. You can vist their site at http://www.nationalinsectweek.co.uk/cinnabarMoth_moth.htm
