Cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobeae) on May 25, 2025

Submitter has sample

Description of specimen

Red spots on black wings for it's too wings bottom wings are all red with black outlunes. Black body. I used AI and sent a picture it says it's possibly a spices of Creatonotos core a tipe of moth found in Asia. It's only a about an inch to 1.5 inches from head to end of wings.

Commentary

This is the cinnabar moth, Tyria jacobaeae, which was intentionally released for the control of the noxious weed, tansy ragwort. It is considered a beneficial insect because it helps manage populations of this weedy species. The caterpillars are very uniquely colored as well.

Wyatt Williams
May 27, 2025, 2:17 a.m.