Diet

• The caterpillars of Cycnia feed primarily on plants in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae).

• Important host plants include dogbanes (Apocynum) and milkweeds (Asclepias).

• Some species appear to specialize strongly on dogbane or milkweed, and the larvae can consume both leaves and, in some cases, flowers.

• The caterpillars can sequester cardiac glycosides from their host plants, which contributes to chemical protection against predators.

Habitat

• Cycnia species generally inhabit open habitats where their larval host plants grow, including meadows, old fields, grasslands, woodland edges and agricultural areas.

• Some species are associated with wet meadows, savannas, riparian openings and other habitats supporting abundant dogbane or milkweed.

• The genus occurs primarily in temperate and subtropical regions of North America.

Description

• Cycnia is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae and subfamily Arctiinae.

• The caterpillars are typically hairy, with tufts of short or longer hairs arising from the body; coloration varies among species but may include orange, reddish or dark tones.