Bug FAQDiabolical Fungus Moth
Metalectra diabolica · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Erebidae
The Diabolical Fungus Moth has a wingspan of about 18 to 23 mm. It lives in the southern United States, recorded from North Carolina down to Florida and west to Arkansas and Texas. Adults are seen from May through October, with most sightings in May.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Wingspan ranges from 18 to 23 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
Found in North America, especially from North Carolina to Florida and from Arkansas to Texas.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Larvae feed on fungi.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults are on the wing from May to October, with the highest numbers in May.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults appear from May through October, most commonly in May.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Native to the United States in the same region as its habitat.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 19 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Louisiana, New York, Florida, Georgia, Missouri.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
When are Diabolical Fungus Moths active?
Adults are active from May to October, especially in May.
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/Metalectra_diabolica
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-24 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-24.