Tyria jacobaeae

Irish status: Widespread and Common

Cinnabar - This striking moth flies from May to July. It is a very poisonous moth to predators and so warns with its colours. The name is from the red mineral, Cinnabar crystal. One of the cannibals of the moth world. Ragwort is it's main food source. The Cinnabar caterpillars have been known to eat each other if the ragwort is not plentiful! These photographed beside the river Shannon at Dowra Co. Cavan.