July 3, 2009. Kentucky Manor, 5211 Kentucky Avenue, Nashville, Davidson
County, TN
360934N (36.15944) and 0865102W (-86.85055)
This Black-and-Yellow Lichen Moth, Lycomorpha pholus , first seen on July 3
and then again on July 4 at Kentucky Manor, was identified by Ken Childs and
verified by Jason Roberts, as a first Tennessee record on BAMONA (obviously
there are others) . It first was flying around the Center Garden of the
Manor. A couple of flights pictures also are attached, though blurry, just
to show the black and orange flight impression (you have to look for it).
One gets quite a start when suddenly a black and orange something is flying
in front of you. It is feeding on Garden Phlox, Phlox paniculata. Thanks to
Ken and Jason.
Michael Lee Bierly, Nashville, Davidson County, TN
Note: Apparently the lichen moths use lichen as their host species. There
are 18 species of lichen moths listed on BAMONA. And, I found a link,
http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2008/01/15/black-and-yellow-lichen-moth/, that
identified this moth (photo included) at a farm in Tennessee in September
2007. Gaynor was from Wales, UK.
Attachment:
Black-and-Yellow Lichen Moth (1) 07-03-09 KM (800).jpg
Description: JPEG image
Attachment:
Black-and-Yellow Lichen Moth (2) 07-03-09 KM (800).jpg
Description: JPEG image
Attachment:
Black-and-Yellow Lichen Moth (3) 07-03-09 KM (800).jpg
Description: JPEG image
