Orange moths are any species of moth with orange body parts, including wings and legs. These moths are common in North America and Europe and are found in various habitats.
Garden Tiger Moth
Garden tiger moths (Arctia caja) have patterned wings. The forewings are brown-white, and the hindwings are orange with black spots. These moths have a dark red abdomen that has black markings.
Garden tiger moths have two defense mechanisms. They can rasp their wings to prevent bats, and secret a toxic fluid to deter other predators.
Arctia caja sightings include:
- North America
- Europe
- Asia
- Canada
- Russia
Hummingbird Hawk Moth
The hummingbird hawk moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) has a 1.6 inches to 1.8 inches (4 to 4.5 cm) wingspan with a broad abdomen. The forewings are greyish-brown, and the hindwings are bright orange.
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Hummingbird hawk moths are day fliers that behave and look like hummingbirds. They hover over flowers when collecting nectar, make a humming noise, and have a hairy black and white “fantail.”
Macroglossum stellatarum thrives in temperate regions of Europe and Asia.
Cinnabar Moth
A Cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae), also known as the red and black moth, is about an inch (2 cm) long and has black legs, antennae, and a body. The forewings’ colorings vary, but the standard color is black. The forewings’ rear end has two red spots, and the margin has a red stripe. These moths’ hindwings are red with a black border.
Cinnabar moths are voracious eaters and can turn cannibalistic in the caterpillar stage. This means they don’t reach maturity in large numbers.
Tyria jacobaeae are commonly found in:
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Asia
- Europe
- North America
Mint Moth
Mint moths (Pyrausta aurata) are small with a 0.79 inches (2 cm wingspan). They have purple-brown forewings with yellow markings that vary in number. The hindwings are brown or black with a yellow band.
Pyrausta aurata larvae feed on mint plants such as catmint, thyme, spearmint, calamint, and marjoram.
Mint months are widely distributed in Europe, the UK, the middle east, and Asia.
White-lined Sphinx Moth
White-lined sphinx moths (Hyles lineata) are large and hairy. Their bodies have white stripes and long, triangular brown/orange forewings that have a tan band and white stripes on the veins. The hindwings are shorter and black with a reddish-pink median band.
These Sphinx moths have different plant preferences depending on when they’re flying. When flying during the day, they feed on bright flowers, and in the evening, they prefer pale or white flowers.
Hyles lineata is common in Southern Canada, North America, and Central America.
Orange Wing Moth
Orange-wing moths (Mellilla xanthometata) of the geometer moths family have orange hindwings and variably colored forewings. The front wings’ colors range from tan, and brown, to gray with one dark spot.
Orange wing moths are active day and night, and their preferred host plant is the honey locust.
Mellilla xanthometata are often found in the Eastern regions of North America.
Large Yellow Underwing Moth
A Large yellow underwing moth has a 0.82 inches to 1-inch (2.1 to 2.6 cm) long wingspan. The thorax is black, and the head and collar are light brown. The front wings are long and narrow and have varying colors. They can be black-brown or red-brown with black dots near the wing tips. The hindwing’s primary color is yellow with a black band.
This moth of the Noctuidae family is attracted to light and will often rest on dead grass and leaves during the day.
Large yellow underwing moths are common in:
- North America
- Asia
- Europe
- the Middle East
- North Africa
Cup Moths
The Cup moth’s wingspan ranges from about an inch to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) long. They have hairy bodies with different colors ranging from reddish brown to pale buff. Female cup moths are larger than males.
Cup moths get their name from their cocoons. The caterpillars spin a cup-like or oval cocoon with a weak line at the top where the pupae push before emerging as a moth.
These moths are found in Australia.
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