PenderBlog From The Pender Islands Of Canada

(photos: Jocko)
You may have seen this red and black moth fluttering around lately, or the boldly striped caterpillar feeding on certain plants and wondered what it was. Well, your wonderment is over! It happens to be the Cinnabar moth and it’s larva. This insect was introduced into Canada in the early 1960’s to act as a control agent against Tansy ragwort, an introduced poisonous pest plant in rangeland. The caterpillars feed on the developing flower buds which means fewer seed to be spread around. Thanks to the person who brought her observation of the moth to my attention.