Cream-spot tiger
This moth hides bright orange hindwings under dark forewings by day, flashing them suddenly if disturbed to startle would-be predators.
| Where | Coastal cliffs, dunes and scrub |
|---|---|
| Size | 45 to 60 mm wingspan |
| When | April to June |
The Cream-spot tiger has black or dark grey forewings marked with bold cream spots, a black furry thorax and a reddish orange abdomen. At rest the bright orange hindwings are hidden beneath the forewings.
It flies from April to June, most often near the sea over coastal cliffs, dunes and scrub in southern regions. Caterpillars are black with tufts of brown hair and a reddish head, feeding on low plants such as dandelion, dock and plantain.
Traits
Habitat
Coast
Colour
Black, Orange
Active
Night
To people
Attracted to light at night; harmless to people.
Activity through the year
Often confused with
Larger, with a wingspan up to about 65 mm, and patterned with brown and cream bands on the forewing rather than the bold pale spots of the Cream-spot tiger, with blue spotted orange hindwings.
Questions
Is the Cream-spot tiger dangerous to people?
Attracted to light at night; harmless to people.
When can you see the Cream-spot tiger?
The Cream-spot tiger can be seen from April to June, at night.
Plate retouched from a photo by Dumi, CC BY‑SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons Licence
The plate on this page is shared under the same licence as its source, CC BY-SA.
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Butterflies and moths›Erebid moths›Arctia
Last updated 2026-09-26. Every entry is checked against published sources.