Chetone

Chetone is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, commonly known as tiger moths. The genus is distributed mainly in the Neotropical region, with species reported from diverse habitats across Central and South America and the Caribbean. Taxonomic placement within Arctiinae reflects its relationship to other tiger moths, though classifications can vary with new phylogenetic studies.

Adult Chetone moths typically exhibit the bold, contrasting wing patterns characteristic of many Arctiinae. Color schemes often include combinations of red, white, yellow, black, and sometimes orange, which together may function as warning coloration. Wingspans vary across species, and many individuals are active at night, drawn to lights.

The caterpillars (larvae) of Chetone are usually hairy and feed on a variety of host plants, ranging from herbaceous to woody species. Many tiger moths possess chemical defenses acquired from their host plants, and their conspicuous adult coloration often serves as an aposematic signal to predators.

Species within the genus are described as diverse, with ongoing taxonomic work in tropical regions continuing to refine species boundaries and relationships to related genera. Conservation status varies among species, influenced by habitat loss and fragmentation in tropical ecosystems. Overall, Chetone represents part of the rich diversity of Neotropical Lepidoptera and contributes to the ecological dynamics of the forest canopies and understories they inhabit.