Cinnibar Moth

CREATING INUWA

Elephant Hawk Moth

The forewings of the adult moth have two vivid red spots and red stripes, while the hind wings are scarlet with charcoal edging. The macro moths (big) and the micro moths (little) are the two types of moths (small). The Cinnabar is a macro moth that measures 20mm in length and has a wingspan of 32mm to 42mm. Although this is mostly a nocturnal moth, it can be observed during the day as well.

Cycle of Life

Females can lay up to 300 eggs on the underside of ragwortleaves, generally in bunches of 30 to 60. The caterpillars (larvae) feed on the region around the hatched eggs when they first hatch, but as they grow larger and moult (instars), they mostly eat on the plant’s leaves and flowers, and can be seen out in the open during the day.

Caterpillar

Caterpillars feed from July to early September, and they start out pale yellow before developing vivid yellow and black stripes to ward off predators. The caterpillars eat ragwort leaves, which are harmful. The caterpillar’s body stores the poison from the leaves (and even remains when they are an adult moth). The terrible taste of the caterpillars will repel any birds or other predators who disregard the prominent warning sign. A large number of caterpillars on a single ragwort plant can quickly reduce it to a bare stem. They’re also known to eat each other. Caterpillars pupate in a cocoon beneath the ground and overwinter as pupa. Adult moths emerge in mid-May and remain on the fly until early August, when males and females mate and lay eggs.

Habitat and Distribution

The Cinnabar moth is a common species that can be found throughout the United Kingdom, with a coastline distribution in England and Scotland’s northernmost regions. Ragwort is controlled in many parts of the UK due of its toxicity to cattle. The Cinnabar moth’s distribution remained nearly the

The elephant hawk-moth (Deilephila elpenor) is one of the most common and widespread hawk-moth species in the UK, with populations in gardens, forest margins, and open countryside.

Caterpillar

Caterpillars, also known as larvae, can grow to be the size of a large thumb in length and thickness. Their name comes from the fact that they are usually dark brown and trunk-like, yet brilliant green varieties are not rare. They have enormous eye spots and a spiky tail, so keep a watch out for them. When they’ve had their fill of leaves and have reached full size, their next task is to find a suitable pupation site (turn into a moth).

Adults

Between May and July, mature moths emerge at night. They are bright pink and olive green and can measure up to 6cm across from wing tip to wing tip. They lay their eggs on rosebay willowherb, bedstraws, and fuschias and feast on the nectar of night-scented flowers like honeysuckle.

Distribution

England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland are the four countries that make up the United Kingdom. Very widespread and well-distributed over England and Wales, with its range expanding northward, as well as broadly and well-distributed in Ireland, poorly distributed in Scotland, and very local and rare in the Channel Islands.