Bug FAQBlack Bit Moth
Celiptera frustulum · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Erebidae
The black bit moth (Celiptera frustulum) has a wingspan of about 34 to 41 mm and lives in eastern North America up to Ontario. Its caterpillars feed on black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), and adults fly in two generations from May to June.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
The species is called the black bit moth, scientific name Celiptera frustulum.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Its wingspan ranges from about 34 to 41 millimeters.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It lives in eastern North America, reaching as far north as Ontario.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
The larvae feed on the leaves of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia).
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults appear in two generations, flying from May to June.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults are on the wing from May through June in both generations.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
It is native to eastern North America, extending up to Ontario.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 33 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Alabama, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Maryland, Mississippi, Virginia, South Carolina.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in Canada; native in United States. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
When are adult black bit moths active?
Adults fly in two generations from May to June.
Source: Wikipedia
What do the caterpillars eat?
The larvae feed on black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia).
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Erebidae)
Spongy MothLymantria disparDamages trees, gardens or crops
Fall Webworm MothHyphantria cuneaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Brown-tail MothEuproctis chrysorrhoeaCan irritate skin
Isabella Tiger MothPyrrharctia isabella
Virginian Tiger MothSpilosoma virginicaCan irritate skin
Salt Marsh MothEstigmene acreaSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celiptera_frustulum
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-23 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-23.