Common Fungus Moth

Common Fungus Moth

Metelectra discalis
OWLET MOTHS (Erebidae)

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The Common Fungus Moth has a wingspan of 1.25 inches. The forewing ground coloring is pale yellow, but it is mostly obscured by extensive dark brown and black mottling. The basal and antemedial lines are scalloped. A broad black band crosses the wing in the median area. A pale band crosses the wing just inside the postmedial line, which is an indistinct series of pale dots. The hindwing is similar but lacks the basal and antemedial lines. The caterpillar is variably white to brown to almost black with sparse black hairs sprouting from yellowish warts. The larva grows to 1 inch.

 

The frequency of occurrence in this area is not known. It has been photographed at Neale Woods in mid-June 2016. It ranges from Maine to Ontario to Florida west to Missouri and Texas. Adults fly from June to August in the north.

 

The larvae eat bracket fungi and many other types of mushrooms. The prepupa weaves pieces of soil, grass and litter into a cocoon usually fastened on fungi. The pupa overwinters.

 

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