Crambidia cephalica (Grote and Robinson, 1870)
Yellow-headed lichen moth
NatureServe Global Rank: G5
Virginia State Rank: S1S2
VA DGIF Tier: None
Federal Legal Status: None
Virginia Legal Status: None
Description: The Yellow-headed Lichen Moth is a medium-sized (25 to 27mm) moth, with slender, white forewings, a yellow head, and simple, white antennae.
Similar species: The Pearly-winged Lichen Moth is identical, but has a white head.
North American Range: This species is mainly a western species but can be found in the southeastern United States as well. In Virginia it has been documented in Russell County.
VA Observations by Locality: Russell
Flight season and broods: Adults fly from June to September.
Habitat and Food Plants: Habitat is poorly understood, but seems to be xeric to mesic forest or woodlands. Larvae feed on lichens.
Behavior and Ecology: Little is known regarding this species life history.
Population trend and potential threats: The population and threats are uncertain.
Management practices: Since there is little known about this moth, management practices have not been determined.
References: Bug Guide. 2003. Iowa State University Entomology. At: www.bugguide.net/node/view/57316. Accessed: 29Apr2012
Moth Photographers Group at the Mississippi Entomological Museum at Mississippi State University. Web application at: http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/large_map.php?hodges=8053 Accessed: 14Apr2013
NatureServe. 2011. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://www.natureserve.org/explorer. (Accessed: April 29, 2012).