Scarlet tiger moth
Callimorpha dominula · Tiger moths
A day-flying, brightly coloured tiger moth of temperate Europe; adults have glossy black forewings with pale spots and vivid red hindwings with black spots.
!Is the scarlet tiger moth dangerous?
No. Not venomous and not known to cause systemic poisoning. Adults do not bite or sting. Caterpillars are hairy; while they are not known to be dangerous, the hairs can cause mild, temporary skin irritation or an allergic reaction in very sensitive people. Wash the area with soap and water and remove hairs with sticky tape if needed; seek medical advice if a strong reaction occurs.
Pets
Not known to be toxic to pets. As with humans, hairy caterpillars could cause mild oral irritation if a pet chews them; monitor pets and consult a veterinarian if signs of distress occur.
📖Overview
Callimorpha dominula is a medium-sized tiger moth found across much of temperate Europe and parts of western Asia. Adults are often active by day (diurnal), visiting sunny habitats such as flower-rich meadows, hedgerows and gardens. The species' bright colours are aposematic (warning) signals: predators associate the pattern with an unpleasant taste or chemical defence. Caterpillars feed on a range of broad-leaved plants and are usually found on host plants such as nettles and comfrey. The moth is not dangerous to people and is commonly welcomed by gardeners for its role as a pollinator.
🔍How to identify a scarlet tiger moth
Adults have a wingspan of about 45-55 mm. Forewings are glossy black with a metallic green sheen with irregular creamy-white or yellowish patches and spots; hindwings are bright red to scarlet with several round black spots. The body is robust and similarly coloured to the wings. Caterpillars are densely hairy, black or dark brown with orange markings or pale bands and can reach several centimetres long before pupating; the pupa is formed in a loose cocoon among leaf litter or low vegetation.
- Bright red hindwings with several round black spots — clearly visible in flight or when wings are opened.
- Glossy dark forewings with irregular creamy-white or yellowish patches and spots.
- Day-flying behaviour and a robust, hairy body typical of tiger moths.
Lookalikes
Jersey tiger Euplagia quadripunctaria
Also day-flying with red or orange hindwings, but the forewings are boldly striped black and cream rather than spotted, and the hindwing spots are larger and fewer.
Garden tiger moth Arctia caja
Arctia caja has heavily patterned forewings (brown and cream) and orange hindwings with black markings; it is generally larger and more intricately patterned than C. dominula.
↻Life cycle
Egg
Laid in clusters on host plant leaves or stems; small, round eggs hatch in days to weeks depending on temperature.
Larva (caterpillar)
A densely hairy caterpillar that feeds on host plants for several weeks, growing through multiple instars.
Pupa
Pupation occurs in a loose cocoon among leaf litter, low vegetation or plant stems; pupal stage lasts until adult emergence.
Adult (moth)
Diurnal or crepuscular moth that mates and lays eggs; adults visit flowers and are active for around 1-3 weeks.
🍃Diet and predators
Young eat
Leaves of nettles, comfrey, honeysuckle and various herbaceous plants.
Adults eat
Nectar from flowers and liquid feeds; adults may also bask in sunlit areas.
Predators of the young
Birds, predatory insects and parasitic wasps and flies; caterpillar hairs and chemical defences reduce some predation.
Predators of adults
Birds and bats, though bright warning colours and taste deterrents lower attack rates; wasps and spiders may occasionally capture adults.
🌱Effect on plants and gardens
Caterpillars feed on a variety of low-growing broad-leaved plants such as common nettle (Urtica dioica), comfrey (Symphytum), honeysuckle, and other herbaceous plants; they rarely cause significant garden damage.
📍Where and when to find it
Adults on flowers, sunlight-exposed leaves and hedgerows; caterpillars on nettles, comfrey and low vegetation.
Best time
Spring and summer months depending on region; daytime and early evening are best for adults.
Observation tips
Look for flashing red hindwings when the moth is disturbed. Photograph from above to capture forewing pattern and from below or in flight to show the red hindwings.
✨Fun facts
- Unlike many moths, scarlet tiger moths are often active during the day and are easy to spot on sunny days.
- Their bright colours warn predators that they are distasteful; some tiger moths produce defensive chemicals and can spit or regurgitate when attacked.
- There is notable regional variation in forewing pattern, so individuals from different areas can look quite different while still being the same species.
?Frequently asked questions
Are scarlet tiger moths dangerous?
No. Adults do not sting or bite. Caterpillars can be hairy and may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive people, but they are not venomous.
Do scarlet tiger moth caterpillars eat garden plants?
They feed on a variety of common herbaceous plants (nettles, comfrey, honeysuckle) but rarely cause significant damage to gardens.
Why is this moth in my garden during the day?
Callimorpha dominula is often diurnal; adults feed on nectar and bask in sunlight, so seeing them on flowers or leaves in daylight is normal.
How can I get rid of caterpillars on my plants?
If numbers are small, hand-pick caterpillars and move them away. For larger outbreaks, encourage natural predators (birds, parasitic wasps) or use a physical barrier. Chemical controls are rarely needed and should be a last resort.
Where does the scarlet tiger moth live?
It lives in temperate Europe and parts of western Asia in habitats such as meadows, hedgerows, woodland edges and gardens where host plants grow.
📷Photos of the scarlet tiger moth
More butterflies & moths
This guide was written with AI assistance and fact-checked, last updated 2026-10-10. Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions. More about the scarlet tiger moth: iNaturalist, Wikipedia.