Lycomorpha pholus

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.[2] The habitat consists of short-grass prairie.[3]

Lycomorpha pholus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Subfamily: Arctiinae
Genus: Lycomorpha
Species:
L. pholus
Binomial name
Lycomorpha pholus
(Drury, 1773)[1]
Synonyms
  • Sphinx pholus Drury, 1773
  • Phalaena pholus
  • Lycomorpha miniata Packard, 1872

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 thought to mimic poisonous Lycid beetles, such as Calopteron species.

The larvae feed on lichen and resemble their host. The species may take several years to develop, depending on the location. Pupation takes place in hairy cocoons attached to rocks or tree trunks near the host.[4]

Subspecies
  • Lycomorpha pholus pholus
  • Lycomorpha pholus miniata Packard, 1872 (central North American)
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References
  1. mothphotographersgroup
  2. Butterflies and Moths of North America
  3. University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
  4. Bug Guide


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