What is the black moth with yellow on its wings flying in the daytime?

Likely a black-and-yellow lichen moth, a day-flier often on goldenrod.

Black-and-Yellow Lichen Moth: The Day-Flying Moth on Goldenrod

On this page

Wingspan is about 1 to 1 1/4 inches; the body and outer wings are black with an iridescent blue sheen, and the inner half of the wings is yellow, orange or red.^[1][2]
Caterpillars have sparse hairs and are camouflaged to look like the lichens they eat.^[1][2]

Look-alike	How to tell them apart
Orange-patched smoky moth	A similar-looking moth whose range overlaps but reaches only as far west as Missouri.^[1]

Found in North America from Ontario and Quebec south to Florida and west to the Rocky Mountains.^[1][2]

US map: public records from 34 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Adults fly by day from July through September, usually in multiple generations, and visit goldenrod, fleabane and sunflowers.^[2]

It overwinters as nearly full-grown caterpillars, and the hairy cocoons are attached near the lichens they fed on.^[2]

Harmless to people and pets.^[1][2]

No control is needed; the bright colors may warn predators, and the moths are harmless.^[2]

What is the black moth with yellow on its wings flying in the daytime?: Likely a black-and-yellow lichen moth, a day-flier often on goldenrod.^[1][2]

University of Florida IFAS Extension (EDIS, Featured Creatures), “Black and Yellow Lichen Moth, Lycomorpha pholus (EENY-479).” ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN865 (accessed 2026-10-16)
Missouri Department of Conservation, “Black-and-Yellow Lichen Moth (Field Guide).” mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/black-yellow-lichen-moth (accessed 2026-10-16)
iNaturalist, “Lycomorpha pholus taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/128950 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-16. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.