Lycomorpha pholus

(Drury, 1773)

black-and-yellow lichen moth

Lycomorpha pholus, the black-and-yellow lichen , is a moth in the Erebidae. It occurs across much of eastern and central North America, where are active from late summer through fall. The participates in a Müllerian mimicry complex with net-winged beetles (family Lycidae), sharing their distinctive black-and-orange warning coloration. Larvae feed on lichens and are cryptically colored to match their substrate.

Lycomorpha pholus by (c) Tom Kennedy, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom Kennedy. Used under a CC-BY license.

Lycomorpha pholus by (c) Aaron Carlson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Aaron Carlson. Used under a CC-BY license.

Lycomorpha pholus P1640343a by
xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Lycomorpha pholus: /ˌlaɪkoʊˈmɔrfə ˈfoʊləs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from the similar Pyromorpha dimidiata (orange-patched smoky moth, Zygaenidae) by the uniformly dark hind margin of the forewing in P. dimidiata versus the patterned margin in L. pholus, and by : L. pholus appear in late summer, while P. dimidiata is active earlier in the season. Both are mimics of net-winged beetles and can be confused with them at a glance.

Images

Appearance

have a wingspan of 25–32 mm. The forewings are black with orange-yellow patches; the hindwings are predominantly black. The body is slender with black and orange coloration matching the wing pattern.

Habitat

Short-grass prairie; also occurs in oak woodlands and other open where lichen plants are available.

Distribution

North America from Nova Scotia south to North Carolina, west to South Dakota and Texas. Also recorded in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.

Seasonality

active from late summer through fall (August–October in most of range).

Diet

Larvae feed on lichens. feeding habits not documented.

Host Associations

lichens - larval foodLarvae are cryptically colored to resemble their lichen

Life Cycle

Complete with , larva, pupa, and stages. Larvae feed on lichens and resemble their in coloration and texture. Specific details of site and stage not documented.

Behavior

Exclusively , unusual for a tiger moth. Possesses hearing capabilities but with reduced sensitivity; does not produce defensive sounds when stimulated by ultrasound, suggesting ears may be functionally for bat detection but potentially used for short-distance social communication.

Ecological Role

Participates in a Müllerian mimicry complex with net-winged beetles ( Lycidae, particularly Calopteron terminale), where both model and mimic are chemically defended. The shared aposematic coloration reinforces learning.

Similar Taxa

Pyromorpha dimidiataSimilar black-and-orange coloration and mimicry of net-winged beetles; distinguished by forewing pattern and earlier season
Calopteron terminaleNet-winged beetle that serves as co-mimic in the Müllerian mimicry complex; beetles have hardened forewings () versus the scaled wings of the

More Details

Taxonomic note

This has been classified in (tiger moths) in older literature, but modern treatments place it in Erebidae, Arctiinae, tribe Lithosiini (lichen moths).

Subspecies

Two recognized: L. p. pholus and L. p. miniata Packard, 1872 (central North America).