Bug FAQArge Moth
Apantesis arge · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Erebidae
Source: Wikipedia
The Arge moth has a wingspan of about 1.5 to 2 inches.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
It used to be placed in the genus Grammia but is now classified in Apantesis.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Wingspan ranges from 38 to 50 millimetres (1.5 to 2.0 in).
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It lives across North America from Quebec and Maine down to Florida, west to New Mexico, and north to North Dakota and Ontario.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults are on the wing from April to September in most areas, and from July to September in Quebec.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults can be seen flying between April and September, depending on location.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its native range includes much of the United States and Canada.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
It was formerly grouped with species from Grammia, Holarctia and Notarctia before being moved to Apantesis.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 34 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan, New York, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in United States; native in Canada. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
What plants do Arge moth larvae eat?
The caterpillars feed on leaves of corn, grapes, sunflowers and several other garden and crop plants.
Source: Wikipedia
When are adult Arge moths active?
Adults are on the wing from spring through early fall, typically April to September, with a later start in Quebec.
Source: Wikipedia
Where is the Arge moth found in North America?
It occurs from eastern Canada and the northeastern US down to Florida, west to New Mexico, and north to the northern plains and Ontario.
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/Apantesis_arge
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.