Bug FAQBlack Fungus Moth
Metalectra tantillus · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Erebidae
The Black Fungus Moth has a wingspan of about 25 mm. It has been recorded in many U.S. states across the Southeast, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic. Adults are on the wing from January through October, most often between April and August.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Wingspan is roughly 25 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults have been recorded flying from January to October, with most records between April and August.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 22 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Florida, North Carolina, Alabama, South Carolina, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Maryland.
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
When are Black Fungus Moths active?
Adults are on the wing from January through October, especially April to August.
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 acreaDamages trees, gardens or cropsSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metalectra_tantillus
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-27 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-27.