Cinnabar Caterpillar

Cinnabar Moth (Tyria jacobaea) larvae are often found feeding on ragworts and groundsels.

This is one of 37 types of butterfly and moth (Lepidoptera) that have been recorded in Charlton Down Nature Area to date. The orange and black stripes of the caterpillar are unmistakable. The adult has a different colour scheme being sooty grey with red bars and dots on the wings.

Useful Books and Links

Day-flying moths of Britain, Richard Lewington, WildID series, Field Studies Council Fold-out Guide, OP 106, ISBN 978_1_85153_215_5

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnabar_moth

The Cinnabar Moth and caterpillar (Tyria jacobaeae)