Orange-patched Smoky Moth (Pyromorpha dimidiata)

Leaf skeletonizer moth on a leaf in a dense mixed hardwood/coniferous forest in NW Georgia (Gordon County), US.

comments (8)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Nice one! And an unusually descriptive common name :) Posted 7 years ago
1. Flown Kimmerling
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks :) Posted 7 years ago

Christine Young

Lion

Look how similar it is to this one!
Posted 7 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  And, both are likely Calopteron mimics. Posted 7 years ago
2. 1. Flown Kimmerling
    
    Lion
    
    Awesome. Mine just has a smokier, more blended look! :D
    
    Ohh, I need to add that detail! Batesian mimicry? Posted 7 years ago, modified 7 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Yup :) So cool.
      
      I think it would be Müllerian mimicry because this moth is part of a mimicry ring where some or all of the species involved are either toxic or unpalatable. In the case of Pyromorpha dimidiata, both the model (Calopteron sp. beetle) and the mimic are toxic. I can't remember exactly, but I think Pyromorpha dimidiata gets toxic compounds from the plants it eats.
      Posted 7 years ago
    2. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Here's some info that I just found:
        
        "Perhaps I like this moth because it apparently belongs to a mimicry complex involving net-winged beetles (family Lycidae), in particular the species Calopteron terminale (end band net-wing). Lycomorpha pholus also participates in this mimicry complex; however, unlike that species, P. dimidiata is itself toxic as well – all life stages of this moth contain hydrogen cyanide, which they manufacture rather than obtaining from host plants (Scoble 1992). Thus, the Calopteron-Pyromorpha mimicry complex appears to be an example of Müllerian mimicry, where both the model and the mimic are toxic."
        
        https://beetlesinthebush.wordpress.com/2009/06/12/pyromorpha-dimidiata/ Posted 7 years ago
      2. Flown Kimmerling
        
        Lion
        
        Ahhhh I wasn't aware that this species had a chemical defense as well! Thanks for clearing that up! Posted 7 years ago

The Orange-Patched Smoky Moth

"Pyromorpha dimidiata", the orange-patched smoky moth, is a species of leaf skeletonizer moth of the family Zygaenidae found in eastern North America.

Info 7 0

Similar species: Moths And Butterflies

Species identified by Flown Kimmerling