Eight-spotted Forester Moth (Alypia octomaculata). They’re found in Maine and southern Quebec to Florida; west to South Dakota and Texas. Unlike most moths, they are diurnal rather than nocturnal. Flying during the day with a wing-span of 1.5 inches. Flying, in search of the nectar of flowers, making their fluttery appearance in May and throughout the summer.
Their caterpillar host plants are grapes, both wild and cultivated, and Virginia Creeper.
I keep reading about moths having drab colors and butterflies having bright colors. Don’t depend on that to decide which you are looking at. There are brightly colored moths. And there butterflies that have dull colors. I also see it being said that moths are small and butterflies are large. That can’t be depended on either. There are very large moths and very small butterflies. Another point I often read: moths are nocturnal and butterflies are diurnal. But in reality there are butterflies that are nocturnal and there are also moths that are diurnal.
One thing you can depend on in looking to see if you’re seeing a moth or a butterfly is their antennae. Male moths have feathery antennae while female moths have sawtoothed antennae.
A butterfly’s antennae are long shafts with club-like bulbs at the ends. A moth’s antennae, whether a male or female, do not have those bulbs on the ends.
A moth that flies during the day, diurnal. A Black and Yellow Lichen Moth (Lycomorpha pholus). Though the name implies the color yellow you can see that this one, above, is reddish-orange along with the striking black with a subtle blue sheen. Many of this species of moth come in shades of not just yellow but also red and orange along with that black.
Black and Yellow Lichen Moths are found in North America from Ontario and Quebec down into the eastern United States. In my photos you can see these moths enjoying the nectar of Goldenrod and Apple Mint.
The larvae of Black and Yellow Lichen Moths eat lichens and blue-green algae. From these meals they pick up chemical compounds produced by the lichen which provides protection both for the caterpillars but also for the adult moths. Predators beware! These Black and Yellow Lichen Moths are poisonous!
