Painted Lichen Moth vs Cecropia Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Painted Lichen Moth Cecropia Moth
Scientific Name Hypoprepia fucosa Hyalophora cecropia
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Arctiidae Saturniidae
Size 25-33 mm wingspan Wingspan 110-160mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Wood Feeders Herbivores
Regions Eastern North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Painted Lichen Moth

A small moth with distinctive grey forewings bearing bright red-orange stripes running from base to tip. It is one of the lichen moths, whose larvae feed on lichens and algae.

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Did You Know?

Its bold warning coloration advertises chemical defenses derived from the lichen compounds its larvae consume.

Cecropia Moth

The largest native moth in North America with reddish-brown wings bearing white comma-shaped marks and crescent eyespots. It has a red and white banded body.

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Did You Know?

Males can detect a single molecule of female pheromone from up to 11 kilometers away using their enormous feathery antennae.