virgin tiger moth

not listed

NNR - Unranked

not listed

Virgin tiger moth is a medium-sized moth, but it is the largest moth in the genus Apantesis. It occurs in the United States from Maine to Georgia west to North Dakota and Nebraska, and in southern Canada from Newfoundland to British Columbia. It is found in open hardwood forests, moist meadows, and other open areas. Larvae feed on a wide variety of low-growing herbaceous plants, including clover, lettuce, and plantain. Adults do not feed.

Adults are 15⁄16″ to 17⁄16″ (24 to 37 mm) in length and have a wingspan of about 2¼″ (56 mm). The thorax is striped black and buff or creamy-buff. The abdomen is orange to orangish-pink with a large black spot on the upper side of each segment (middorsal).

The wings are held over the body like a roof when at rest. The male forewing length averages ⅞″ (22.2 mm). The forewing is black with pale, yellowish-buff to creamy-buff markings. The veins, lines, discal spot, leading edge (costal margin), inner margin, and fringe are all pale. The media vein (M) is wider than the anal vein (A). The antemedial (AM) band is usually absent, sometimes represented by a slightly pale bar along the vein on the costal margin (costa). There is a bent transverse line at the end of the discal cell. The postmedial (PM) and subterminal (ST) bands are bold lines.

The hindwing is pink to orangish pink, rarely yellow, with somewhat variable black markings. There is always a costal and anal spot, and well-developed PM and ST spots. There is almost always a well-developed discal spot. The PM and ST spots are not joined except near the margin at the anal angle.

The antennae are black. On the male they are feathery, with extensions along both sides of the shaft (bipectinate). The antennae on the female are slender and thread-like.

The above description refers to the nominate subspecies A. v. virgo, the only subspecies that occurs in Minnesota. The southeastern subspecies A. v. gigas is much larger, the male forewing length averages 13⁄16″ (29.2 mm), and the hindwing colors are brighter and more saturated.

Caterpillars in the genus Apantesis are difficult to identify to the species level.

Total length: 15⁄16″ to 17⁄16″ (24 to 37 mm)

Wingspan: about 2¼″ (56 mm)

Open hardwood forests, moist meadows, and other open areas

One generation per year: June to mid-July

The wings are held over the body like a roof when at rest. When threatened, the wings are spread, exposing the pink underwings, and presenting a more intimidating display.

Caterpillars overwinter

A wide variety of low-growing herbaceous plants, including clover, lettuce, and plantain.

Adults do not feed.

Sources

4, 21, 24, 27, 29, 30, 71, 75, 82, 83.

Common

Family
In 2011 the family Arctiidae (tiger moths and lichen moths) was transferred to the family Erebidae mostly intact but demoted to a subfamily. The former subfamilies are now tribes, the former tribes now subtribes.

Genus
Until recently, this species was classified as Grammia virgo. A recent taxonomic revision of the genus Grammia (Schmidt, 2009) proposed moving the virgin tiger moth and other species that were previously classified in the genus Grammia to the genus Apantesis. The move was controversial in 2009 and remains so in 2023. NCBI, BugGuide,net, NatureServe, iNaturalist, and Moth Photographers Group use the name Apantesis virgo. ITIS, GBIF, and Butterflies and Moths of North America continue to use the name Grammia virgo.

I found this deceased moth. I had never seen one before.

Virgin Tiger Moth located in Decker Michigan

Discovered this little guy on my porch. Never seen one before. I live in Decker, Michigan 48426 Had to share!!!

seen in our yard

Location: Medina, Ohio

I found this deceased moth. I had never seen one before.

Location: Decker, Michigan 4842

Discovered this little guy on my porch. Never seen one before. I live in Decker, Michigan 48426 Had to share!!!

Location: Silver Bay, MN

seen in our yard