Jersey tiger vs Garden tiger moth
These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a jersey tiger from a garden tiger moth, and whether either one bites or stings.
Jersey tiger
Euplagia quadripunctaria
Garden tiger moth
Arctia caja
≠The key differences
Jersey tiger has black-and-white striped forewings and red hindwings without the large rounded black spots seen in Arctia caja.
⚖︎Side by side
| Jersey tiger | Garden tiger moth | |
|---|---|---|
| To humans | Non-toxic | Irritating hairs |
| Size | Wingspan 45-65 mm (typically 50-60 mm) | 45-65 mm wingspan |
| Colours | Black, Cream, Red-orange, Brown | Brown, Cream/Off-white, Orange-red, Blue-black |
| Family | Erebidae | Erebidae |
| Habitat | Open woodlands, hedgerows, coastal cliffs, scrub, gardens and sunny walls; adults often rest on vegetation or warm stone walls. | Gardens, meadows, marsh edges, hedgerows and other herb-rich, moderately damp places |
| Range | Southern and central Europe, parts of western Asia and North Africa; in Britain chiefly Jersey and southern England but expanding northwards in recent decades. | Temperate Europe and northern Asia, and across much of northern North America; absent from the coldest arctic zones |
| Active | Adults mainly July to September (peak in August) in the north of the range; day-active but also comes to light at night. | Adults fly in summer (usually June-August in temperate Europe and North America); crepuscular to nocturnal |
| Pest? | No | No |
🔍How to spot a jersey tiger
- Black or dark brown forewings with bold cream/white diagonal stripes and spots.
- Bright red-orange hindwings with one or more dark spots, visible in flight or when wings are opened.
- Relatively large moth (wingspan about 45-65 mm) and day-flying; often seen resting on sunlit walls or vegetation.
🔍How to spot a garden tiger moth
- Forewings strongly patterned brown with cream/white patches and wavy lines
- Hindwings bright orange-red with several large round dark blue-black spots
- Medium-large wingspan (about 45-65 mm) and a hairy robust body
- Larvae are densely hairy 'woolly bears' typically dark with reddish-orange bands or tufts
?Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a jersey tiger and a garden tiger moth?
Jersey tiger has black-and-white striped forewings and red hindwings without the large rounded black spots seen in Arctia caja.
Is a jersey tiger or a garden tiger moth more dangerous?
Jersey tiger: Non-toxic. Garden tiger moth: Irritating hairs. Jersey tiger moths are not dangerous. Adults do not bite or sting and are not dangerous.
Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.