tiger moth

American  

noun

1. any of numerous moths of the family Arctiidae, many of which have conspicuously striped or spotted wings.

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tiger moth British  

noun

1. Often shortened to: tiger.  any of a group of arctiid moths, mostly boldly marked, often in black, orange, and yellow, of the genera Arctia, Parasemia, Euplagia, etc, producing woolly bear larvae and typified by the garden tiger ( Arctia caja )

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Etymology

Origin of tiger moth

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

While there are hundreds of woolly-looking species in Erebidae family, the most common and well-recognized woolly bear caterpillar is Pyrrharctia isabella, or the larval form of the Isabella tiger moth, says Marshall.

From National Geographic • Nov. 29, 2023

The most underrepresented species, the researchers found, include critically endangered ones like the dinosaur ant of southern Australia, the crimson Hawaiian damselfly, and the harnessed tiger moth found in eastern North America.

From Salon • Feb. 7, 2023

Instead, AI can scan for features humans would likely miss, like the color range of the wings on a tiger moth.

From The Verge • Apr. 20, 2022

Woolly bears, as the larvae of the Isabella tiger moth are affectionately known, will play starring roles in Incredible Insects, a theme weekend at Wave Hill, the 28-acre public garden in the Bronx.

From New York Times • Oct. 9, 2014

From this, the perfect insect, the Isabella tiger moth, Pyrrharctia isabella Smith, emerges about the last of June.

From A Book of Natural History Young Folks' Library Volume XIV. by Jordan, David Starr