Scarlet Tiger

Callimorpha dominula (72.029)

In David Brown's book 'The Large Moths of Warwickshire' published in 2006, the Scarlet Tiger was described as being a "suspected vagrant" originating from the neigbouring counties of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. Very few records from Warwickshire existed.

Fast forward 20 years and this species has gained a foothold in the county and is now resident across the south of the region as far north as Coventry with larvae and adults being observed at Brandon Marsh and elsewhere in 2017. The reason for its recent colonisation is almost certainly linked to changes in climate.

The Scarlet Tiger is an unmistakable species which is usually seen in flight during warm sunny days in May and June, usually in damp areas such as river banks, brooks and streams, damp woodland rides and railway cuttings.