Identification
The separation of
Hypoprepia miniata and closely related
H. fucosa has been vastly oversimplified in literature and field guides. See this
iNaturalist post for an overview of the problem.
Adult: forewing ground color reddish-orange distally (usually) and yellowish proximally; two broad diverging dark gray stripes extend longitudinally along wing, with a third shorter stripe between them at outer margin; hindwing pinkish with broad dark terminal band
Range
United States and southern Canada east of the Rockies
Habitat
wooded areas; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Season
adults fly from May to August in the north; perhaps most of the year in Florida
Food
larvae feed on lichen, algae, and moss on trees
Life Cycle
overwinters as a larva
Life cycle images:
larva; larva; pupa; adult
See Also
Three more similar looking moths
Hypoprepia miniata (Scarlet-winged Lichen Moth) , whose forewing ground color is entirely red (
compare images of both species at CBIF)
Hypoprepia cadaverosa at Moth Photographer Group
Haematomis uniformis at Moth Photographers Group
Print References
Covell, p. 62 & plate 12 #2
(1)
Moskowitz, D. P. & C. Westphal 2002. Notes on the larval diet of the painted lichen moth
Hypoprepia fucosa Hübner (Arctiidae: Lithosiinae). Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 56 (4):
289-290
Internet References
live adult images (Lynn Scott, Ontario)
live adult images (Bob Patterson, Maryland)
live adult image (John Himmelman, Connecticut)
adult images (Larry Line, Maryland)
pinned adult image and other info (Gerald Fauske, North Dakota State U.)
distribution in Canada list of provinces (U. of Alberta, using CBIF data)
Discussion on iNaturalist of the complexities of separating
H. fucosa and
H. miniata.