The Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar (Tyria Jacobaeae) Royalty-Free Stock Image

The Cinnabar Moth caterpillar (Tyria jacobaeae)The black and yellow striped caterpillar of the Cinnabar Moth is one of the most instantly recognisable caterpillars in the British Isles and Europe.The caterpillars grow up to 28 mm and feed mainly on ragwort but also groundsel and colt’s foot (ref Porters).The conspicuous caterpillars feed gregariously on the larval food plant during the day mainly between May and August.Their bright colours warn birds and other predators that they are distasteful.The larval food plant is often denuded of leaves. When this happens cannibalism may occur with surviving caterpillars wandering in search of a new food source.When fully grown the caterpillars leave the foodplant and pupate just beneath the surface of the soil.They overwinter as a pupa.Another caterpillar with yellowy/orange stripes is a pre wintering Fox moth caterpillar.