Moths of North Dakota

Arctiidae: Arctiinae: Arctiini


Phragmatobia assimilans Walker 1855

Common name: Large ruby tiger moth.

Hodges #: 8158.

Identification: Rfw 15.5 mm, fw opaque, without transverse lines; hw scarlet with broad fuscous marginal band.  

Similar species: 8156, 8157.

Distribution: Canada and northern U.S., southward in Rockies to Colorado.

Hosts: larvae are general feeders on herbaceous plants, Taraxicum-- dandelion and Plantago-- plantain in captivity, Betula-- birch and Populus balsamifera L.-- Balsam poplar in the wild.

Note:  moth at lower right is secreting greenish droplet of defensive fluid.  Most arctiids have cyanide compounds in their hemolymph.

 

 

MN, Lake Co., Lake Leander barrens,  T60N  R19W, Sec. 17.  Hg/UV light, 30- V- 1992,  coll. G. Fauske.

MN, Beltrami Co., Webster Lake camp ground,  27- V-  2002,  pic. G. Fauske.
 

 

 

 

  
 

 

 


Last updated: 01/23/07

Gerald M. Fauske
Research Specialist
NDSU
202 Hultz Hall
Fargo, ND 58105
E-Mail: Gerald.Fauske@ndsu.nodak.edu

 
Published by the Department of Entomology 


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