- Maltese Ruby Tiger Moth
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Maltese Ruby Tiger Moth Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera Family: Arctiidae Genus: Phragmatobia Species: P. fuliginosa Subspecies: melitensis Trinomial name Phragmatobia fuliginosa melitensis
O. Bang-Haas, 1927The Maltese Ruby Tiger Moth (Phragmatobia fuliginosa ssp. melitensis) is a moth endemic to the Maltese Islands which falls under the family Arctiidae.
Contents
General features
This moth, known as the Rubin in Maltese, can grow up to 20mm.[1] Its two forewings are dark brown in color whilst the back wings are reddish-pink in color. One can also see certain markings on the wings with the forewings having one spot each and the back wings having around four markings each.
The caterpillar looks rather furry, a feature common in Arctiidae caterpillars. In fact, the caterpillars are known as 'woolly bears'.
Food
The caterpillar feeds on borage Borrago 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
Categories:- Spilosomini
- Fauna of Malta
- Butterflies and moths of Europe
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