Bug FAQFigured Tiger Moth
Grammia figurata · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Erebidae
The Figured Tiger Moth has forewings about 15.8 mm long.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
It was first described by Dru Drury in 1773.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
The average forewing length is 15.77 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
The caterpillars feed on low-growing plants such as alfalfa and plantain.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
In northern Ohio there are two generations each year. In the northern part of its range adults are mainly on wing from May to June in a single generation. In the southwestern part of its range adults have been recorded from April through October, reflecting a longer flight period.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Northern adults are mostly active May-June, while southwestern adults may be seen April-October.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its native range covers the same North American region described for its habitat.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 28 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Kansas, Oklahoma.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in Canada. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
When are Figured Tiger Moths active?
In the north they fly mainly from May to June, whereas in the southwest they can be seen from April through October.
Source: Wikipedia
What do the larvae eat?
The caterpillars feed on low-growing plants, including alfalfa and plantain.
Source: Wikipedia
How many generations do they have each year?
In northern Ohio there are two generations per year, while in the northern part of the range there is typically one generation.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Erebidae)
Spongy MothLymantria disparDamages trees, gardens or crops
Fall Webworm MothHyphantria cuneaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Brown-tail MothEuproctis chrysorrhoeaCan irritate skin
Isabella Tiger MothPyrrharctia isabella
Virginian Tiger MothSpilosoma virginicaCan irritate skin
Salt Marsh MothEstigmene acreaDamages trees, gardens or cropsSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apantesis_figurata
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-25 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-25.