Painted Lichen Moth - Hypoprepia fucosa
The last time we saw this specie of Moth, an individual was hiding underneath a backyard umbrella until nighttime. Here we find a specimen in a more natural setting doing what resting adult Lepidopterans typically do when it's not their time of day to fly. Think about it: it's not as if Butterflies vanish into thin air or magic dust before nightfall arrives either. Since they lack set homes or shelters (and cannot make themselves flattened to hide underneath stones or roots), Lepidopterans conceal themselves against plants, trees or tree bark or by hanging underneath leaves. With this strategy, Moths and Butterflies (and other insects) can rest until it's time to become active. Of course, since they can't close their eyes, it's closer to a dormant state than what we mammals would clean sleep. In any case, by hiding insects like this can avoid a majority of predators. In retrospect, I was likely bothering this Moth with the phone's flash, but it didn't move a single inch while I photographed it. What a beautiful insect, wouldn't you agree? Having only seen this Moth twice in my life, I was renewed with how dazzling its striking yellow, black and red coloration is. Interestingly, two of the three relatives within the Hypoprepria genus all share this striking coloration and combination of shapes and patterns along their wings.
Specifically H. cadaverosa (which is mostly all yellow) and H. miniata which is mostly all deep-red to orange, hence its common name, the Scarlet-Winged Lichen Moth! While reading into the other species and looking for the ranges and means of identification, I happened across a post on iNaturalist (written by gcwarbler) that warns against the simplification of identifying these Tiger Moths and how wing color isn't the only identification factor, but it is used as a big shortcut very often and yet it can be extremely variable depending on region. Reading it, I thought about some of the identification methods I use and how although I do take a shortcut every now and then, I give my best effort to ensure all insects shared here are identified and described as accurately and truthfully as possible. Case in point, the iNaturalist post describes that for generalizations, it appears the Scarlet Moth has deep-red wings and also lacks a grey spot atop its thorax. Meanwhile our Painted Lichen Moth friend has only faint traces of scarlet across mostly yellow wings and a defined thoracic spot. Even then, variability means these features are not a guarantee, so it's important to follow identification keys, carefully observe insects and also their range.
Pictures were taken on July 9, 2022 in Kleinburg with a Google Pixel 4. For reference, I recommend reading gcwarbler's post on iNaturalist and applying it to your insect identifications. Especially if you live near Texas where Hypoprepia Moths are difficult to separate, which is to say nothing of the other Moths on higher taxonomic branches. What a (potential) mess indeed! If anything, it's best not to rush insect identification and consider as much available information as possible. Perhaps we should also consider hybridization or subspecies in the future if variation between individuals would become too great.
