Apantesis phalerata
 | This article's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. (April 2023) |
| Harnessed tiger moth | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Superfamily: | Noctuoidea |
| Family: | Erebidae |
| Subfamily: | Arctiinae |
| Genus: | Apantesis |
| Species: | A. phalerata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Apantesis phalerata (Harris, 1841)
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Apantesis phalerata, commonly known as the harnessed tiger moth, is a species within the Erebidae family, first described by Thaddeus William Harris in 1841.[1][2]
Distribution[edit]
This moth is indigenous to North America, with a geographical distribution that spans from Ontario, Quebec, and Maine in the north, stretching down to Florida, Texas, and South Dakota. The activity period for A. phalerata varies regionally, from April to September in the southern parts of its range, and from May to August in the northern areas.
Description[edit]
The harnessed tiger moth belongs to a large and varied family of moths, which comprises about 11,000 species divided across three tribes globally. An interesting anatomical feature of these moths is the tymbal structure within their bodies, similar to that found in members of the Cicadoidea family. However, uniquely, their tymbal is located in the metathorax, allowing them to generate ultrasonic signals. These signals serve dual purposes: as a defensive mechanism against predation and as a means of communication during mating.
Life cycle and behavior[edit]
Throughout its life cycle, which includes the stages of egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult, A. phalerata undergoes complete metamorphosis. As caterpillars, they feed on a variety of vegetation including grasses, garden crops, and low-growing plants such as Trifolium (clover), Spartina (cordgrass), Taraxacum (dandelion), and Plantago (plantain). The cocoon, a crucial part of their transformation into moths, is primarily made from larval hairs.
Adult A. phalerata moths have a wingspan ranging from 30 to 42 mm (1.2 to 1.7 inches) and are known for their distinctive black and orange wing patterns, which has earned them the name "tiger" moth. This coloration is not just for show; it is a form of aposematism, a strategy used to warn predators of their unpalatability.
Despite their warning colors, harnessed tiger moths are preyed upon by bats, which rely on echolocation to hunt. The moths' vibrant colors serve as a visual deterrent, signaling to potential predators that they are distasteful. Following mating, the lifespan of a harnessed tiger moth is quite short, ranging from 5 to 10 days. The lifespan and mortality are influenced by various factors, including the act of mating itself and dietary conditions.
References[edit]
- ^ Savela, Markku. "Apantesis phalerata (Harris, 1841)". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
- ^ Cirrus Digital: "Harnessed Tiger Moth Apantesis phalerata".