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Story: Insects – overview

Alpine tiger moths

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Alpine tiger moths

Female tiger moths cannot fly – they spend their adult life in a cocoon. They attract males by emitting powerful chemical scents (pheromones). These two males are attempting to mate with the white, wingless female in her cocoon.

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Private collection

by George Gibbs

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How to cite this page

George Gibbs, Insects – overview – Wingless and flightless insects, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/10067/alpine-tiger-moths (accessed 10 June 2026).

Story by George Gibbs, published 1 March 2009.