Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1013589

Virginian Tiger Moth or Yellow Woolybear Moth
Spilosoma virginica

Observation date: September 18, 2014
Submitted by: lgoldber
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: very large and thick, maybe 2+ inches long, was in the lawn going away from arborvitae towards plants with big leaves; very hairy and black head, when I handled it it first curled in a bowl then looked like released some yellow liquid; I let it go in my plants with big leaves thinking it could be endangered butterfly, but can't find it now although was so big; brown-red color, never seen one like this before
Status: Resident
Verified by: Lula Field
Verified date: December 14, 2014
Coordinator notes: None.
Checklist region(s): United States, Massachusetts, Suffolk County