Species introCountry intro
Black-and-Yellow Lichen Moth
At first glance, I thought this was a net-winged beetle, but upon closer inspection, I realized that it was a moth that was mimicking a net-winged beetle! The body and wings of this moth were bluish-black. The basal part of wings were orange, and the distal area of the wings was black.
They are thought to be mimics of net-winged beetles (Calopteron sp.), which contain a toxic compound (acetylenic acid).
''Lycomorpha pholus'', the black-and-yellow lichen moth, is a moth in the family Erebidae. It is found in North America from Nova Scotia to North Carolina, west to South Dakota and Texas. The habitat consists of short-grass prairie.
The wingspan is 25–32 mm. Adults have bluish-black wings, with a yellow, orange or red basal area and black distal area. Adults are on wing from July to September. They fly during the day and are attracted to flowers, including goldenrod. The adults are.. more
