Cinnabar Moth Poisonous to Humans: How Dangerous Are They?

The cinnabar moth is a brightly colored moth recognizable by its black wings marked with red spots and stripes. These moths are found throughout Europe, Asia and have also been introduced in North America and Australia. But an important question arises – are these striking moths actually poisonous and dangerous to us humans? Let’s find out.

While cinnabar moths themselves are not venomous or toxic, their caterpillars can be poisonous due to the plants they feed on. Here are some key facts

Diet of Cinnabar Moth Caterpillars

• Cinnabar moth larvae or caterpillars primarily eat ragwort plants. Ragwort contains toxic alkaloids.

• The caterpillars accumulate and concentrate these bitter compounds in their bodies as they feed extensively on ragwort.

• This gives them chemical protection from predators who learn to avoid eating them due to their bad taste

Are Cinnabar Caterpillars Poisonous?

Yes, cinnabar moth caterpillars are poisonous to some extent. Here’s why:

• By ingesting toxic ragwort for weeks, the larvae sequester high levels of alkaloids like jacobine and senecionine.

• These compounds are poisonous and can cause liver damage if eaten.

So cinnabar caterpillars use ragwort toxins as a defense mechanism, advertising their unpalatability through bright warning colors.

Can Cinnabar Caterpillars Harm Humans?

Cinnabar larvae are not aggressive and do not directly attack humans or pets. However, contact with the caterpillars may cause minor skin irritation, rashes or swelling in sensitive individuals. The poison can also cause nausea if accidentally ingested.

Overall, they pose a relatively low risk to human health. But as a precaution, avoid touching the caterpillars with bare hands. The irritation seems to be caused by the alkaloid-laced microscopic hairs on their body that can stick to skin.

Safety Tips When Around Cinnabar Moths

Here are some ways to stay safe around cinnabar moths:

• Supervise young kids when outdoors where caterpillars may be present.

• Do not deliberately touch or handle cinnabar moth caterpillars.

• Wash hands thoroughly if skin contact occurs to prevent transferring toxins to eyes or mouth.

• Seek medical help if rash, swelling or vomiting occurs after contact.

• Keep pets away from areas with ragwort plants where larvae may be feeding.

Are Adult Cinnabar Moths Poisonous?

In contrast to the larvae, adult cinnabar moths are not poisonous to humans or toxic in any way. They do not feed on ragwort as adults, and lose the alkaloid protection from caterpillar stage.

So the adult moths are completely safe to handle and pose no health hazard. Their aposematic colors simply serve as a reminder of their unpalatability as larvae.

To summarize, cinnabar moths themselves are harmless and non-toxic to humans. But their caterpillars can accumulate toxic ragwort compounds that may cause some irritation. Still, they are less dangerous compared to caterpillars of venomous butterflies or highly toxic moth species. With some basic precautions, cinnabar moths can be safely enjoyed in your garden habitat. Their splash of rainbow colors definitely makes spotting them a rewarding experience!