Macrobrochis gigas
This tiger moth's larvae graze on lichen, moss and algae growing on tree bark rather than on leaves, an unusual diet for a caterpillar in this family.
| Where | Humid forest understorey and woodland |
|---|---|
| Size | 63 to 69 mm wingspan |
| When | April to July |
Adults have an orange head and collar, a black thorax washed with green, and black forewings marked with a few white spots, while the hindwing is white at the base and black beyond.
Larvae graze in exposed groups on lichen, moss and algae on tree trunks rather than on leaves, and the single yearly generation of adults flies for only a few weeks in spring.
Traits
Habitat
Woodland
Colour
Orange, Black, Green
Active
Night
To people
Not documented to sting, bite or irritate; the bold colouring likely warns off predators instead.
Activity through the year
Often confused with
Has dark green forewings and a pale yellow hindwing band, rather than the orange head and white spotted black forewings of this species.
Questions
Is Macrobrochis gigas dangerous to people?
Not documented to sting, bite or irritate; the bold colouring likely warns off predators instead.
When can you see Macrobrochis gigas?
Macrobrochis gigas can be seen from April to July, at night.
Plate retouched from a museum specimen photo by Taiwan Biodiversity Research Institute, CC BY 4.0, GBIF Licence
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Butterflies and moths›Erebid moths›Macrobrochis
Last updated 2026-09-27. Every entry is checked against published sources.