Caterpillar of Cinnabar Moth
![](https://oldwww.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/image/0013/2731/varieties/thumb200.jpg)
Tyria jacobaeae Linnaeus
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Arctiidae
Size range
- 20–25 mm
Distribution
- From Europe, more common in lower North Island and upper South Island
Life History
- Larvae feed on leaves and flowers of ragwort
- Caterpillar and moth poisonous to birds
- Introduced as a biological control for ragwort
- Day–flying moth