Tiger Moths and Wasps Moths

Family Arctiidae

Salt-marsh caterpillar (Estigmene acrea). Photo:Stephanie Boucher

The larvae feed on the foliage of a wide range of plants and trees. Some species feed on poisonous plants and store the toxins in their bodies which offers them protection against predators. These are small to medium-sized moths. Most are stout bodied with thick hairs and robust wings. Many are very colourful and have brightly striped patterns on the wings. They often have their head retracted into the thorax and their legs are short and strong with very short spurs. The caterpillars have colourful tufts of hair coming out from large warts on the body.