Top Qs
Timeline
Chat
Perspective
Maltese ruby tiger moth
Subspecies of moth From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Remove ads
The Maltese ruby tiger moth (Phragmatobia fuliginosa melitensis) is a subspecies of moth endemic to the Maltese Islands. It was first described by Otto Bang-Haas in 1927. It belongs to the subfamily Arctiinae.
Remove ads
General features
This moth, known as the rubin[1][2] in Maltese, has a wingspan of 30–35 mm.[2] Its head and body are hairy; head and thorax reddish brown; abdomen red with black spots; wings translucent; forewing reddish brown with black reniform spot; hindwing bright pink with black discal spot and uneven black spotting along outer margin.[2]
The caterpillar looks rather furry, a feature common in Arctiinae caterpillars, which are known as "woolly bears".
Remove ads
Food
The caterpillar feeds on borage (Borago officinalis) (known as fidloqqom in Maltese), and on bugloss (plants from the genus Echium e.g. pale bugloss (Echium italicum) which is known as lsien il-fart abjad in Maltese).[1]
Population
The Maltese ruby tiger moth, although endemic, is common throughout the Maltese Islands.[1]
See also
- Endemic Maltese wildlife
- Endemism
- Arctiidae (tiger moths)
References
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Remove ads