Apantesis nais

Apantesis nais, the Nais tiger moth, is a moth of the family Erebidae. It was described by Dru Drury in 1773.[1][2]

Nais tiger moth
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Subfamily: Arctiinae
Genus: Apantesis
Species:
A. nais
Binomial name
Apantesis nais
(Drury, 1773)
Synonyms
  • Spilosoma nais Drury, 1773
  • Bombyx cuneata Goeze, 1781
  • Arctia decorata Saunders, 1863
  • Arctia ochreata Butler, 1881
  • Apantesis phaleratula Strand, 1919
  • Arctia nais

Description

The wingspan is 30–42 mm (1.2–1.7 in). Forewings are mostly black with cream-colored costal border and lines extending from base in males. Hindwings are variable in color but usually they are reddish or yellow and show a row of large black spots in median area. Females have a quite reduced set of pale lines on the forewings and the hindwings have broad black bands in the subterminal area.[3][4]

Adults are on wing from April to October. The larvae feed on a wide range of herbaceous and woody plants, including grasses, violets, plantain and clover.[3][4]

Distribution and habitat

This species can be found in North America from Quebec and Maine south to Florida and west to Texas and South Dakota. It has also been spotted in Ohio.[3] It prefers woodlands and forested habitats.[4]

References
  1. Savela, Markku (ed.). "Apantesis nais (Drury, [1773])". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  2. "930280.00 – 8171 – Apantesis nais – Nais Tiger Moth – (Drury, 1773)". North American Moth Photographers Group. Mississippi State University. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  3. Murray, Tom (February 16, 2018). "Species Apantesis nais - Nais Tiger Moth - Hodges#8171". BugGuide. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  4. Moths of North Carolina


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