Hyphoraia testudinaria

Hyphoraia testudinaria
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Arctiidae
Genus: Hyphoraia
Species: H. testudinaria
Binomial name
Hyphoraia testudinaria
(Geoffroy in Fourcroy, 1785)
Synonyms
  • Phalaena testudinaria Geoffroy, 1785
  • Bombyx maculania Lang, 1789
  • Phalaena curialis Esper, 1789
  • Bombyx civica Hübner, 1790
  • Arctia maculata Caradja, 1893
  • Arctia testudinaria f. crocea Schultz, 1908
  • Hyphoraia meridialpina Daniel, 1939

Hyphoraia testudinaria, Patton's Tiger, is a moth of the Arctiidae family. It was described by Geoffroy in 1785. It is found from northern Spain to southern and central France and southern Switzerland to north-eastern and southern Italy. It has also been recorded from Great Britain.[1] The habitat consists of grasslands, slopes, forest edges, clear dry forests, cliffs and mountain slopes, maquis, garigues and dry meadows.[2]

The wingspan is 35–45 mm.[3] Adults are on wing in May and July.

The larvae feed on various low-growing plants, including Plantago, Rumex, Achillea, Euphorbia cyparissias, Potentilla, Hieracium, Taraxacum, Cynoglossum, Deschampsia, Calamagrostis.[4] The species overwinters in the larval stage. Pupation often takes place under flat stones.

References