Cinnabar moth, polilla cinabrio

Tyria jacobaeae

Description:

This moth is named after the red mineral cinnabar (mercury sulpphide, HgS) because of the red patches on its predominantly black wings. Cinnabar moths are about 20mm long and have a wingspan of 32–42 mm. Cinnabar moths are day-flying insects. Like many other brightly coloured moths, it is unpalatable; the larvae use members of the genus Senecio as foodplants. Many members of the genus have been recorded as foodplants, but for long-term population success, the presence of the larger species such as ragwort is needed. Smaller plant species, such as groundsel, are sometimes used, but since the species lays its eggs in large batches, survival tends to be reduced. Newly hatched larvae feed from the underneath of ragwort leaves within the area of their old eggs. The larvae absorb bitter tasting alkaloid substances from the foodplants, and assimilate them, becoming unpalatable themselves. The bright colours of both the larvae and the moths act as warning signs, so they are seldom eaten by predators. The cinnabar caterpillars, due to lack of food, can turn cannibalistic.

Habitat:

Native of Europe and central Asia It has been introduced into New Zealand, Australia and North America to control poisonous ragwort, on which its larvae feed. Spotted at 1800 meters high in Madrid mountains, Sierra de Guadarrama