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Orange-patched smoky moth

Pyromorpha dimidiata

Spotting Image 1
  • photo 1
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Description:

1 cm orange & black lichen moth that mimics a toxic net-wing beetle. (Lycidae sp.)

Habitat:

Burgess Falls, Tennessee

Notes:

Added to NWF mission because of its survival tactic of Batesian mimicry of a toxic species.

1 Species ID Suggestions

Noah Ranger +3
bayucca
bayucca 10 years ago
Orange-patched Smoky Moth
Pyromorpha dimidiata Species Pyromorpha dimidiata - Orange-patched Smoky Moth - Hodges#4639 - BugGuide.Net


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15 Comments

Noah Ranger
KarenL
KarenL 10 years ago

Thanks Dominik & Tamar!

Noah Ranger
bayucca
bayucca 10 years ago

At least one adventure survived ;-)...

Noah Ranger
ForestDragon
ForestDragon 10 years ago

I agree with the suggested ID for this one. Lycomorpha pholus is the Black-and-Yellow Lichen Moth. This matches Pyromorpha dimidiata much more closely I think.

Noah Ranger
bayucca
bayucca 10 years ago

Zygaenidae, Procridinae, Pyromorpha dimidiata.
Same one like this:
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/244...
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/speci...
Please, verify, but I do not think it is a Lycomorpha sp.

Noah Ranger
Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 11 years ago

Nice spotting...
Aslso called Netwing beetle..
http://www.insectsofwestvirginia.net/b/l...

Noah Ranger
KarenL
KarenL 11 years ago

Very true Nancy!
murtu, it is! The gain the benefit of the protection provided by looking like the poisonous beetle.

Noah Ranger
auntnance123
auntnance123 11 years ago

Well, Karen, this one had at this point.

Noah Ranger
Johan Heyns
Johan Heyns 11 years ago

Is this what it is mimicking?

http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/100...

Noah Ranger
KarenL
KarenL 11 years ago

I wonder if it fools its predators!

Noah Ranger
auntnance123
auntnance123 11 years ago

Would have fooled me too.

Noah Ranger
KarenL
KarenL 11 years ago

:D

oxyjack
oxyjack 11 years ago

It's an excellent mimic!

Noah Ranger
KarenL
KarenL 11 years ago

It certainly fooled me Jack! Thanks for the correction!

oxyjack
oxyjack 11 years ago

And a really good mimic too!

oxyjack
oxyjack 11 years ago

Wow Karen, it fooled you! This is a Lycid-mimicking moth!

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KarenL
Spotted by
KarenL

Tennessee, USA

Spotted on Apr 24, 2012
Submitted on Apr 25, 2012

Spotted for Missions

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Reference

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