Jersey Tiger

The adults can be found flying on warm days and visiting flowers, such as Buddleia. They also fly at night and come to light. The caterpillars can be seen from September to the following May, overwintering as small larvae.

Size and Family

• Family – Tigers, Ermines, Footmen and allies (Arctiids)
• Medium / Large Sized 
• Wingspan range – 52-65mm

Conservation status

• UK BAP: Not listed
• Nationally Scarce

Caterpillar Food Plants

Feeds on a wide variety of herbaceous plants including Common Nettle (Urtica dioica), Hemp-argimony (Eupatorium cannabinum), White Dead-nettle (Lamium album), Borage (Borago officinalis), plantains (Plantago Spp.), Ground-ivy (Glechoma hederacea) and Bramble (Rubus fruiticosus).

Habitat

Gardens, rough and disturbed ground, hedgerows, coastal cliffs, under-cliff and the higher parts of beaches.

Distribution

• Countries – England
• Resident and a suspected immigrant. Well established along the south coast of Devon and Dorset, extending inland to the edge of Dartmoor. Also found on the Isle of Wight, Sussex, Kent and recently from parts of London, with a few records elsewhere
• Distribution Trend Since 1970’s = Britain: Increasing