Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar

Grassy meadows, hillsides, and open roadsides where its host plant, ragwort, is present.

Strictly herbivorous; feeds almost exclusively on Tansy ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) and other Seneca species.

Larvae are gregarious and active during the day. Their bright orange and black warning colors (aposematism) signal toxicity to predators. They are known to become cannibalistic if food sources are depleted.

Benefits the ecosystem by acting as a biological control agent against invasive ragwort, which is toxic to livestock. They pose no direct risk to humans, but handle with care as they sequester toxins from their diet.