Leaf-litter-feeder
Guides
Pyromorpha
orange-patched smoky moths, leaf-skeletonizer moths
Pyromorpha is a genus of zygaenid moths known as leaf-skeletonizer moths. Species in this genus possess aposematic black and orange coloration and contain hydrogen cyanide at all life stages, which they synthesize rather than sequester from host plants. The genus participates in Müllerian mimicry complexes with net-winged beetles (family Lycidae), particularly Calopteron terminale. At least one species, P. dimidiata, has larvae that feed on leaf litter, especially oak leaves.
Pyromorpha dimidiata
Orange-patched Smoky Moth
Pyromorpha dimidiata is a leaf skeletonizer moth in the family Zygaenidae, native to eastern North America. Adults display distinctive orange and dark gray forewings with a pattern that resembles toxic net-winged beetles (Calopteron spp.) in a Müllerian mimicry complex. All life stages contain hydrogen cyanide, which the moth synthesizes independently rather than sequestering from host plants. The species is active primarily in spring and early summer.
Pyromorpha latercula
Pyromorpha latercula is a species of forester moth in the family Zygaenidae. It belongs to a Müllerian mimicry complex involving net-winged beetles (family Lycidae), particularly species with black-and-orange warning coloration. Like other members of its genus, this species produces hydrogen cyanide as a defensive compound across all life stages. The species has been documented in limited observations, with 11 records on iNaturalist as of the source date.