There are a number of moths that have black and red coloring that may fit the description of a “black and red moth like insect.” Some possibilities include the rosy maple moth, the grapevine epimactis moth, the Virginia ctenucha moth, and the scarlet-bodied wasp moth. In this article, we will take a closer look at the characteristics of these insects and how to identify them.
Rosy Maple Moth
The rosy maple moth (Dryocampa rubicunda) is a stunning moth found in North America that gets its name from its pink and yellow coloration. The wings have a yellow-green base color with irregular pink and purple blotches across them. The body is furry and yellow-orange. An identifying feature of this moth is the vibrant red stripe on the outer portion of the hindwings.
Rosy maple moths are medium-sized, with a wingspan around 1.5-2 inches. They have a heavy, furry body and feathers on the legs. Their antennae are yellow and feathery.
These moths can most often be found in forested areas, especially around maple, oak, and beech trees. The larvae feed on the leaves of these trees. Rosy maple moths do not migrate and have one brood per year. The adult moths emerge in late spring and live for around one week.
Grapevine Epimactis Moth
The grapevine epimactis moth (Epimactis quadrata) is found in the southern and midwestern United States. The wings are about 0.75 inches long and have black and red coloring.
The forewings are black with a distinctive red cell near the apex. The hindwings are solid black. The body is black with some orange-red tufts of hair. The legs are black and orange banded.
These moths are associated with grapevines and the larvae feed on grape leaves. The larvae are green, black, orange, and white. Adult moths emerge in summer and live for 7-10 days.
They can be seen at night visiting flowers and streetlights. During the day they rest on grape leaves. The black and red coloration helps them blend into the background of grapes on the vine.
Virginia Ctenucha Moth
The Virginia ctenucha (Ctenucha virginica) is a moth in the family Erebidae found in eastern North America. This striking moth has black wings with bold red, orange, and metallic blue markings.
The forewings are black with red bands and spots. Near the apex is an iridescent blue patch. The hindwings are solid black with orange patches at the base and a red band on the trailing edge. The wingspan is about 1.5 inches.
The caterpillars of this species are black with orange racing stripes and long black hairs. They feed on plants in the mint family.
Adult Virginia ctenucha moths emerge in summer and live for around one week. They can be found in fields, meadows, marshes, and along forest edges. The red and black coloring helps them blend into the vegetation during the day when they rest.
Scarlet-Bodied Wasp Moth
The scarlet-bodied wasp moth (Cosmosoma myrodora) is found in Central and South America. This small moth has a wingspan of just 0.6-1 inch. It gets its name from its striking resemblance to a wasp.
The forewings are black with yellow bands. The hindwings are solid black. As the name suggests, the body is a bright scarlet red with some black markings. The legs are black and yellow.
The caterpillars are black and yellow and feed on plants in the family Fabaceae. Adult moths live for around 9-10 days. They are active during the day and visit flowers. The black wings with scarlet body help the moth mimic the coloration of stinging wasps as a defense mechanism.
Identifying Features
When trying to identify a black and red moth-like insect, look for the following features:
– Wing coloring – Look at the forewings and hindwings. Black wings with red spots, bands, or edges are typical.
– Body color – Furry black and orange/red bodies are common. Also look for solid scarlet or red-striped bodies.
– Size – Wingspans are generally between 0.5-2 inches.
– Antennae – Thin and feathery antennae indicate moths. Wasplike insects have thicker, more cylindrical antennae.
– Behavior – Moths rest with wings spread flat. Wasps fold wings over their backs. Moths are active at night while wasps are day-flyers.
Differences Between Moths and Butterflies
While they are closely related, there are some key differences between moths and butterflies:
| Feature | Moths | Butterflies |
|---|---|---|
| Antennae | Feathery, thin | Club-shaped, knob at end |
| Wings | Often drab colored, may have spots/bands | Brightly colored, often have patterns |
| Resting | Wings spread flat, some angle upwards | Wings closed together over back |
| Active | Night | Day |
| Cocoon | Silk cocoon or underground | Chrysalis attached to plants |
As you can see, antennae shape, wings, resting posture, activity time, and type of pupa are key differences between moths and butterflies. If your insect has feathery antennae and dull/patterned wings, it is likely a moth rather than a butterfly.
Common Families of Black and Red Moths
There are around 160,000 species of moths worldwide divided into many different families. Here are some of the more common moth families that include black and red species:
Erebidae – This very large family includes tiger moths, lichen moths, and underwing moths. Many species have bright aposematic coloration as caterpillars and striking black and red wings as adults. Example genera include Ctenucha, Arctia, and Spilosoma.
Noctuidae – Owlet moths make up this diverse group, including prominent moths like the underwings. Black wings with red spots or bands are common. Genera like Catocala and Lophocampa contain many black and red species.
Arctiidae – The tiger moths and allies comprise this family. Furry bodies and bright contrasting colors on the forewings are typical. Genera such as Hyphantria, Pygarctia, and Spilosoma have black-winged red species.
Saturniidae – The giant silkmoths contain truly giant species like luna and cecropia moths. Red bands on dark wings are common, seen in genera like Actias, Antheraea, and Saturnia.
There are also many smaller moth families that contain black and red species. Getting a clear look at the wings, antennae, and other features helps narrow down the family.
Geographic Distribution
While black and red moths can be found worldwide, certain regions are particularly well known for these striking insects:
North America – The eastern United States and Canada host many moth species with black and red wings like virginia ctenucha, rosy maple moth, io moth, and eyed paectes.
Central America – Areas like Costa Rica and Panama are home to glasswing moths, wasp moths, owlet moths and other black and red species.
South America – Brilliant moth diversity is found here, including places like Ecuador and Brazil. The wood nymph and clearwing moth families have vibrant species.
Europe – Iconic moths like the Cinnabar moth and magpie moth display rich black, red and white patterns.
Africa – Striking arctiine tiger moths are found here, like the garden tiger moth, scarce tiger moth, and Venezuelan tiger moth.
Asia – From India to Japan, moth families like Lymantriidae and Erebidae contain lovely black and red species.
In general, the tropics harbor the most moth species diversity, including many vividly colored black and red moths. Even temperate regions have their share, however.
Host Plants
The larvae of moths often feed on very specific host plants before transforming into the winged adults. Identifying these host plants can help pin down the moth species. Here are some plants commonly eaten by black and red moth larvae:
– Maple, oak, birch, beech, and other trees
– Grapevines
– Crops like cotton and tobacco
– Common orchard fruits and vegetables
– Herbaceous plants like aster, mint, parsley and snapdragon
– Ornamentals like poinsettia, hibiscus, and rose bushes
Key factors like geography, environment, and time of year help determine what plants the larvae are able to eat. This in turn influences where the adult moths can live and thrive.
Life Cycle
Like all moths, black and red species undergo complete metamorphosis with four life stages:
Egg – The mother moth lays eggs, either singly or in masses, on or near the host plant. The tiny eggs hatch within 4-10 days.
Larva/Caterpillar – The larvae are wormlike eating machines that grow through several instars by molting. They spend 2-6 weeks devouring leaves of the host plant.
Pupa – Pupation takes place inside a cocoon or underground. This stage lasts 1-4 weeks while the caterpillar transforms into the adult moth.
Adult – The adult moth emerges with fully developed wings to reproduce and continue the life cycle. Adults live anywhere from one week to several months depending on species.
The length of the full life cycle varies based on climate, geography, and the number of generations per year. Many moths produce new generations annually or multiple times per year.
Behavior and Habits
Like all Lepidoptera, black and red moths exhibit some typical behavioral and habitat preferences:
– Most active at night (nocturnal) or dusk/dawn (crepuscular).
– Feed on flower nectar using a proboscis.
– Sensitive to pheromones for mating. Male moths can detect female pheromones from miles away.
– Rest with wings spread flat on tree trunks, foliage, and walls.
– Found in wooded areas, gardens, agricultural land, and anywhere larval hostplants grow.
– Overwinter as pupae or larvae depending on species.
– Later generations may migrate to expand range.
– Some species congregate at lights while others avoid them.
– Camouflage coloration lets them blend into vegetation and evade predators.
– Bright aposematic colors warn predators of toxicity or bad taste.
– Ultra-sensitive antennae and ears allow them to pick up minute sensory stimuli.
Conclusion
Black and red moths comprise a variety of species across numerous families worldwide. They range in size from tiny micro moths to giant silk moths. While warning coloration is common, many blend into their natural environments with cryptic patterns when resting. Identifying features like the wings, thorax, antennae, and leg structure can help distinguish moths from other insects. Learning about their host plants, life cycles, and habitats in your area aids in species identification. With over 160,000 moth species globally, discovering a new black and red beauty can happen nearly anywhere!