Lichen Moth

Description:

Both male and female adult black and yellow lichen moths are similar in appearance. Their wingspan ranges from 2.5 to 3.2 cm or 1 to 1.3 inches (Covell 1984). The head, thorax (chest), legs, and abdomen are all black with an iridescent blue sheen. The tegula (shoulders), the half of the forewing closest to the body (basal half), and a patch on the front (costal) margin of the hind wing next to the body are all orange-yellow.

Habitat:

Wildlife habitat yard

Notes:

Not many moths are diurnal, but the Lichen Moth can often be seen at any time during the day. It is a mimic of the net-winged beetles, which are supposedly distasteful to birds, hence the orange and black warning colors. The larvae of this moth feed on lichen.