Scarlet Tiger Moth

The Scarlet Tiger Moth Callimorpha dominula is a moth of the Erebidae family. While often appreciated for its beauty, in agricultural and horticultural settings, its larvae can act as pests that feed on various host plants, impacting the health and yield of garden vegetation.

The caterpillars are known to be polyphagous, feeding on a wide range of plants. Key host species include raspberries, blackberries, honeysuckle, and various broad-leaved weeds like nettles and comfrey. When these plants are present in or near gardens, the caterpillars may migrate to cultivated crops.

The life cycle typically spans one year. The larvae overwinter in the litter layer and resume feeding in early spring. They undergo several molts before pupating inside a loose, silk-spun cocoon hidden among leaves or organic debris near the base of the host plants.

Damage is characterized by the defoliation of the host plant. Caterpillars consume the leaf lamina, often leaving only the midribs if the infestation is severe. This herbivory stunts plant growth, reduces photosynthetic efficiency, and can significantly decrease the commercial yield of berry-producing shrubs.

To manage and mitigate the damage caused by these caterpillars, consider the following integrated pest management practices:

• Hand-picking larvae when their density is low to prevent widespread damage.
• Maintaining garden hygiene by removing debris where larvae tend to overwinter.
• Applying biological insecticides containing Bacillus thuringiensis, which is effective against lepidopteran larvae.
• Encouraging natural predators such as birds and parasitic wasps within the garden ecosystem.