Bug FAQBlack Zigzag Moth
Panthea acronyctoides · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Noctuidae
Also called: Black Zigzag, tufted spruce caterpillar
Source: Wikipedia
Adults have a wingspan of about 30 to 35 mm. They are on the wing from May through August, depending on where they live. The species occurs across Canada and the northern United States, reaching south to Colorado, New England and Kentucky.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Panthea acronyctoides is a moth in the Noctuidae family, commonly called the black zigzag or tufted spruce caterpillar.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Its wingspan ranges from 30 to 35 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Francis Walker first described the species in 1861. Adults are active from May to August, with timing varying by location.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
The moth flies during the late spring and summer months, roughly May through August.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
The moth is native to North America, spanning Canada and the northern United States.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 26 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Vermont, Maine, Wyoming, Michigan, New York, New Hampshire, Colorado, North Carolina.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in Canada; native in United States. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
When can I see adult black zigzag moths?
Adults are on the wing from May to August, depending on where you are.
Source: Wikipedia
Where is this moth found?
It occurs across Canada and the northern United States, reaching south to Colorado, New England and Kentucky.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Noctuidae)
Ipsilon Dart MothAgrotis ipsilonDamages trees, gardens or crops
Fall Armyworm MothSpodoptera frugiperdaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Army Cutworm MothEuxoa auxiliarisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Large Yellow UnderwingNoctua pronubaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Silver ΥAutographa gamma
American DaggerAcronicta americanaCan irritate skinSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panthea_acronyctoides
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.