The Dazzling Beauty of Red MothsRed moths come in a spectacular array of shades from bright crimson to deep burgundy. With over 160000 moth species in the world, red moths stand out for their vibrant coloring and intricate patterns. In this article we will explore 16 of the most common and captivating red moths.
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Ceanothus Silk Moth
The Ceanothus silk moth is a large moth reaching up to 12.7cm in wingspan. It has a distinctive red to reddish-brown coloring with narrow red postmedian lines on a white background. The hindwings feature an elongated comma-shaped cell spot. These moths are found in chaparral, coastal regions and conifer forests along the west coast of North America. -
Inornate Pyrausta Moth
This small pink moth has variable yellow markings on its gently curved wings. It measures only 13mm across but makes up for its size with its vivid pink and yellow patterning. Inornate pyrausta moths are widespread across the southern and central United States. -
Ruby Tiger MothAs the name suggests, the ruby tiger moth has a striking red coloration Its fuzzy body and forewings are a deep red-brown while the hindwings are a pale pink with a single black spot Growing up to 3.4cm, this moth feeds on a variety of plants as a caterpillar.
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Coffee-loving Pyrausta Moth
This aptly named moth loves coffee plants! It has a wingspan of 17mm and a burnt orange-red coloring with elegant yellow lines and markings. It can be found year-round in coffee-growing regions of the Americas. -
Southern Pink-striped Oakworm Moth
The largest moth on our list, this beauty reaches 6.6cm across. Females are orangey-red with purple scales while males are dark brown with red hindwings. Larvae feed communally on oak leaves. These moths are common across eastern North America. -
Scarlet-winged Lichen Moth
This moth beautifully camouflages against lichen with its red and grey color pattern. Growing to 17mm, it is nocturnal and attracted to lights. Caterpillars feed solely on lichen before pupating. Found in pine forests in North America. -
Spotted Oleander Moth
Native to the Caribbean, this large moth has chocolatey-brown forewings and crimson hindwings with dark borders. It has a wingspan of 48mm. Larvae are brightly colored orange caterpillars. -
Variable Red Pyrausta Moth
This small moth has striking burnt orange-red wings with intricate yellow markings. It measures 15mm across and is found year-round in the southern US and Mexico. -
Hummingbird Clearwing Moth
This large day-flying moth mimics hummingbirds. It has a yellow-olive body with deep red-maroon on the abdomen. The wings are mostly translucent with red-brown borders. It feeds on nectar from flowers. -
Yellow-banded Pyrausta
Another Pyrausta moth makes the list with its vibrant red wings and distinctive yellow bands. It is small at just 15mm but has a big impact with its bold colors. Found in the US and Mexico. -
Scarlet-bodied Wasp Moth
This aptly named moth looks just like a wasp with its metallic blue head, bright red body and clear wings. Growing up to 35mm, it is found in Florida year-round. Completely harmless to humans. -
Assam Silkmoth
A true beauty, this Indian moth has deep burgundy wings decorated with pink dots and edging. The larvae feed on trees and produce an extremely fine, naturally golden silk. -
Clover Hayworm Moth
This European moth has chocolatey-red forewings trimmed with gold. The 23mm wings open to reveal a vibrant red-orange body. Larvae feed on dried plant matter. -
The Rosy Footman
This 27mm moth lives in Europe and Asia. It has peach and orange wings trimmed in red with elongated black spots. The caterpillars feed on tree lichen. -
Red-winged Lithosia Moth
This all-red moth is found across Eurasia and North America. It has bright crimson forewings and lighter red hindwings. A small species at only 15mm wide. -
Io Moth
Lastly, the striking io moth. This large moth has eyespots on its 50mm wings. The overall color is burnt orange-red with darker red veining throughout. A beautiful moth found across North America.
In Conclusion
The vibrant reds, purples, oranges and pinks of these moths are a sight to behold. From the huge io moth to the tiny red-winged lithosia, red moths contribute immense beauty to ecosystems around the world. Next time you see a flash of red flutter by, it just might be one of these dazzling moths! With over 160,000 moth species, there are many more spectacular red moths yet to be discovered.
When to seeMay to August
Cinnabar moth caterpillar ©Andrew Hankinson
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FAQ
What is a red moth?
Cinnabar. These pretty black and red moths are often confused for butterflies! Their black and yellow caterpillars are a common sight on ragwort plants. The caterpillar’s bright colours warn predators not to eat them, giving a strong signal that they are poisonous!
Are cinnabar moths harmful?
When roughly handled the imago ejects or leaks out a pungent secretion mixed with yellow haemolymph from its prothoracic glands5. The adult moth contains a remarkably high level of histamine in its body tissues (700 µg/g)—a substance frequently associated with poison glands in invertebrates6–8.
What states do cecropia moths live in?
These moths can be found predominately across the east of North America, with occurrences as far west as Washington and north into the majority of Canadian provinces. Cecropia moth larvae are most commonly found on maple trees, but they have also been found on cherry and birch trees among many others.
Are rosy maple moths bad?
It can also be found on oaks. The rosy maple moth is not rare, but it does suffer from habitat loss. Deforestation poses a major threat to the moth because it relies on specific trees for survival. The rosy maple moth is harmless to humans, but its caterpillars can cause a rash if they come into contact with your skin.
What does a red moth look like?
This moth has red to brown wings which can sometimes be rusty red. The body of the species exhibits alternating black and red bands. Moths of this family are further differentiated by the hairy head and upper body. Short red hairs are distinguished in this area.
What is a red cinnabar moth?
It has been introduced into New Zealand, Australia and North America to control ragwort, on which its larvae feed. The moth is named after the red mineral cinnabar because of the red patches on its predominantly black wings. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.
What is a red underwing moth?
In terms of size, red underwing moths differ from species like the rosy maple moth, which is considered the smallest of the silk moths and has a wingspan of up to 2 inches across 2. By understanding and identifying these captivating insects and their characteristics, we can better appreciate the beauty and diversity nature has to offer.
Why do Atlas moths have red wings?
Atlas Moths have red wing bases and a red tornal patch on each hind wing when their wings are closed. This is a characteristic feature of these large lepidopterans, which are known for their disproportionately small bodies compared to their wings.
What are some examples of colorful moths?
There are colorful moths such as orange and black moths, all-white moths, and pink and yellow moths. Some moth species have spectacular wing colors and patterns, while many have characteristic brown or black patterns and a fuzzy body.
What do moths look like?
Moths come in a variety of colors and patterns, often with stunning colors like yellow, orange, pink, green, and red. Some fascinating moth species can look like leaves or bark as they camouflage themselves on plants, making them quite distinct from butterflies.