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black and orange moth?
Thu, May 28, 2009 at 7:27 AM
Hi Bugman,
I saw this black and orange “bug” in Brown County Indiana State Park in between West Tower and Ogle Lake. Not sure if it is a moth or what… Thanks in Advance!
-T
Brown County Indiana State Park

Orange Patched Smoky Moth

Dear -T,
All you need to do is to insert the word Lichen into your subject line, and you will have the common name for your moth, Lycomorpha pholus, the Black and Orange Lichen Moth or Black and Yellow Lichen Moth. You can match your photo to the ones posted on BugGuide.

Correction: Sat, May 30, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Though I’m not certain, I think there’s a chance this is actually an Orange-patched smoky moth, Pyromorpha dimidiata.
Artemisia

Dear Artemisia,
After looking at the BugGuide page for the Orange Patched Smoky Moth, Pyromorpha dimidiata, we are inclined to agree with your correction.  According to BugGuide:  “Day-flying. Wings black, translucent, basal half of forewing orange. Note that inner margin of forewing is black, orange in rather similar Lycomorpha . Also note phenology: Pyromorpha flies in early summer, Lycomorpha in late summer, fall. “

Related Posts

1. Lichen Moth (August 25, 2007)
2. Orange Patched Smoky Moth (August 21, 2006)
3. Black and Yellow Lichen Moth (January 15, 2008)
4. Mating Moths: probably One-Spotted Variants (April 28, 2009)
5. Lichen Moth (June 16, 2009)