Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1300416

Garden Tiger Moth or Great Tiger Moth
Arctia caja

Observation date: May 05, 2021
Submitted by: Varn
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Captured caterpillar was feeding on red alder (Photo: 210505105418.jpg), offered it a variety of other trees and herbs, but it continued to feed on red alder for several days. Eventually tried some other plants before switching to Indian plum. Molted on 5/19/2021 (Photo: 210519193852.jpg fresh molt). After molting it ate Indian plum almost exclusively until it began forming a cocoon on June 5th. It took about three days to complete the cocoon which never looked very well formed. On 07/12 the adult was emerged and looked fresh. I had not checked for 3 days. Photographed and released the adult that day (Photos: 210712184715.jpg, 210712185005.jpg, 210712185732.jpg, 210712190230.jpg).
Status: Resident
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: July 14, 2021
Coordinator notes: None.
Checklist region(s): United States, Washington, Jefferson County