Animals

Their striking warning coloration signals to predators that they are unpalatable, as both the caterpillars and adult moths sequester toxic alkaloids from the ragwort plants they consume.

Their larvae live in freshwater streams, rivers, and lakes. Adults are nocturnal and often fly toward window lights at night.

Males are very fuzzy and have thick hair on their legs. They are common in grassy areas and gardens, where adults hunt other small flies and larvae live in animal droppings.

It holds its narrow, split wings straight out to the sides. It has a pale brownish or buff color. It rests during the day and flies mostly from dusk. The caterpillars feed on plants like field bindweed and hedge bindweed.