Arctia is a genus of tiger moths in the Erebidae family. Therein, it belongs to the subtribe Arctiina in the tribe Arctiini in the subfamily Arctiinae. It is the type genus of all these Arcti- taxa. Species are well distributed throughout North America, Palearctic, India, and Sri Lanka.

Description

Palpi porrect, reaching beyond the frons where the first two joints are hairy. Antennae bipectinated in male, with short branches swollen at extremity, and with a terminal bristle, whereas female has serrate. Legs hairy with hind tibia bears two spur pairs. Fore wings rather short and broad.

Species

The species of Arctia consist of the main caja group, some more distantly related species which presently form monotypic "groups", and one species that might not actually belong here:

caja group:

Arctia brachyptera Troubridge & Lafontaine, 2000
Arctia caja – Garden Tiger Moth, Great Tiger Moth
Arctia (caja) martinhoneyi Dubatolov & Gurko, 2005
Arctia olschwangi Dubatolov, 1990
Arctia opulenta H. Edwards, 1881
Monotypic "groups":

Arctia flavia – Yellow Tiger Moth
Arctia intercalaris Eversmann, 1843
Arctia rueckbeili
Incertae sedis:

Arctia festiva – Hebe Tiger Moth (sometimes separated in Eucharia)
Many more of the Arctiinae were initially placed in this genus. Species moved out of Arctia more recently include:

Andesobia jelskii
Epicallia villica – Cream-spot Tiger
Oroncus ladakensis O.Bang-Haas, 1927
Oroncus weigerti (de Freina & Witt, 1985)