100 More Species #33: Painted lichen moth

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Painted lichen moth Hypoprepia fucosa

Happy Moth Week everyone! I thought this nice colorful moth should be our Monday post. I have not yet encountered a reason why this nocturnal insect should bear such a vibrant pattern. Google up some images to see the wide range of vibrancy this moth can display. Some of it is geographic variation which, with more research, may reveal multiple species in the Hypoprepia complex. One close relative has deep lurid scarlet in the place of this one's gentle sunset colors. The larva is a prickly green caterpillar that grazes on lichen and blue-green algae on fallen logs.

Don't forget about Moth Night on Thursday, at Garden in the Woods.