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Photo#202234
Ranchman's tiger moth - Arctia virginalis

Ranchman's tiger moth - Arctia virginalis
Kaslo S. Rd., ~ 2.7 km SW of Mirror Lake, Central Kootenay, British Columbia, Canada
June 1, 2008
It must have been a good year for this species as I found 16 larvae in half an hour. It was a cool, pleasant morning (around 5:30 a.m.). Everything was covered in dew, including the larvae. They were sitting exposed on rocks, dead twigs and nearby vegetation. Two larvae died of unknown causes and another one was parasitised by two tachinid larvae. Pupation took place between June 9 - 13. Only 5 males emerged, the rest were females. Both sexes came in the black or yellow hindwing morphs. The series of photos that follows is of an adult emerged on June 18 (2008).

Images of this individual: tag all
Ranchman's tiger moth - Arctia virginalis Ranchman's tiger moth - Arctia virginalis - female Ranchman's tiger moth - Arctia virginalis - female Ranchman's tiger moth - Arctia virginalis - female Ranchman's tiger moth - Arctia virginalis - female Ranchman's tiger moth - Arctia virginalis - female Ranchman's tiger moth - Arctia virginalis - female Ranchman's tiger moth - Arctia virginalis - female

Welcome, and thank you.
Welcome to Bugguide! Thank you so much for sharing this bit of the life cycle of a truly beautiful moth. We had these in Oregon when I was growing up and they became a real favorite of mine:-)

 
Thank you for your appreciati
Thank you for your appreciation. I feel lucky indeed for being at the right place at the right time. It is not a common species, that's for sure, but rather quite localized. I am glad i could contribute with something of interest and i hope i can do it again soon. :)

 
Platyprepia virginalis
Hello Marius:

Those are great pictures of Platyprepia virginalis. Did you let a couple pair up and keep any ova? It would be great to raise a few to get the live cycle down. They must over-winter as eggs and hatch sometime around April.

Richard Wasson