Dysschema howardi

[58chevy]

This is the largest tiger moth in North America. The wingspan on these specimens is approximately 100mm. They are found in the southwestern USA, from west Texas to Arizona, usually at elevations above 4000'.

[daveuk]

Wow. Had no idea of the existence of this one. Spectacular species. Very well spread/set.

[livingplanet3]

I wasn't aware of this species either, and it occurs just to the west of where I am. Arctiinae were always one of my favorite groups of moths to look for in the spring / summer in my younger years, and I reared quite a few Estigmene acrea -



Another striking species common in my area is Grammia arge -





I've occasionally seen Haploa clymene here, as well -

[58chevy]

I used to find Grammia arge in the Ft. Worth area when I was a kid, but I don't see them in the Houston area. I rarely see Haploa clymene, one of my favorite arctiids.

[daveuk]

More beautiful species new to me. Great photos too. I don't normally collect moths but there were some larvae of The Emerald Tiger Moth(Callindra principalis) offered here in the U.K. last year from Pakistan. The like cycle took a long time to complete but I did manage to get a few adults through. A picture of two of them for you. I agree with you that Arctiinae are wonderful & if I ever did get into moths seriously it's definitely a family I would be really interested in

[58chevy]

Callindra principalis is beautiful. Reminds of Platyprepia virginalis of N. America.

[chrisw]

Arctiinae is also one of my favorite families of moths. I have several D. howardi I collected in Arizona, but I do not have a female.
The females are spectacular. Hopefully I can collect one some day.

[livingplanet3]

The prominent blue and orange coloration on the abdomen of another of my local tiger moths (Hypercompe scribonia) clearly says "foul tasting" to predators -