| 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, 1927 |
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The Maltese Ruby Tiger Moth (Phragmatobia fuliginosa ssp. melitensis) is a moth endemic to the Maltese Islands which falls under the family Arctiidae.
Contents |
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'.
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]
The Maltese Ruby Tiger Moth, although endemic, is common throughout the Maltese Islands.[1]