72.026 BF2057

Garden Tiger Arctia caja

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Wingspan 45-65 mm.

Another species which was a favourite with early collectors, who selectively bred it to create unusual colours and forms.

Once a quite common moth in most of Britain, it seems to have declined in many places in the last few years.

It flies in July and August, and will regularly visit the light-trap.

The caterpillars are the 'woolly bears' of many people's childhood, and feed on a number of herbaceous plants.