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cinnabar

Richard Burkmar

Cinnabar moth caterpillar

Cinnabar moth caterpillar ©Andrew Hankinson

Cinnabar moth

©Bob Coyle

Cinnabar

These pretty black and red moths are often confused for butterflies! Their black and yellow caterpillars are a common sight on ragwort plants. The caterpillar’s bright colours warn predators not to eat them, giving a strong signal that they are poisonous!

Scientific name

Tyria jacobaeae

When to see

May to August

Species information

Statistics

Wingspan: 3.4-4.6cm
Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.

About

Cinnabar moths start life as yellow and black caterpillars and are particularly fond of munching on ragwort plants. Their bright colours warn predators that they’re poisonous, but they only build up their poison after feeding on the ragwort. The caterpillars spend the winter as cocoons on the ground before emerging as moths in the summer. Cinnabar moths can be seen flying during the day and night and are often mistaken for butterflies.

How to identify

The cinnabar is slate-black with two red spots and two pinky-red stripes on the rounded forewings. Its hindwings are pinky-red and bordered with black. It can be distinguished from the similar burnet moths by its broader wings and red bars instead of spots.

Distribution

Widespread.

Did you know?

The cinnabar is named after the red mineral, Cinnabar, an ore of the metal Mercury.