Bug FAQBlack shawl moth
Diasemiodes nigralis · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Crambidae
The Black shawl moth has a wingspan of about 18 mm and its wings are black with a straight snow-white stripe and a distinctive spot near the hindmargin. It occurs in the southern United States from Florida to Texas, with occasional records as far north as Michigan and Maryland, and adults fly from May to October except in Florida where they are present year-round.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
The wingspan measures about 18 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It is found in North America, recorded from Florida to Texas and as far north as Michigan and Maryland.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Flight season runs May through October, extending to all months in Florida.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its range is within North America, specifically the United States from Florida to Texas with stray records northward.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 16 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, Florida, Virginia, Louisiana, North Carolina, New Jersey.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in United States. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
When are Black shawl moths active?
Adults fly from May to October in most areas, and they are active year-round in Florida.
Source: Wikipedia
What does the Black shawl moth look like?
It has black wings marked with a straight snow-white stripe and a spot near the hindmargin, and its wingspan is about 18 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Where can I find Black shawl moths?
They are recorded from Florida to Texas in the United States, with occasional sightings as far north as Michigan and Maryland.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Crambidae)
Box Tree MothCydalima perspectalisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Celery Leaftier MothUdea rubigalis
Elegant Grass-veneerMicrocrambus elegans
Hawaiian Beet Webworm MothSpoladea recurvalisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Garden Grass-veneerChrysoteuchia culmellaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Bluegrass Webworm MothParapediasia teterrellusDamages trees, gardens or cropsSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diasemiodes_nigralis
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-29 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-29.