Bug FAQBold-based and Intent Zale Moths
Zale lunifera · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Erebidae
Also called: Bold-based Zale, Bold-based Zale Moth
The bold-based zale, Zale lunifera, is a noctuid moth with a wingspan of about 37 to 45 mm. Its larvae feed on scrub oaks such as Quercus ilicifolia, and adults fly in spring and midsummer. It lives in open, sandy pine-oak forests of the southeastern United States, mainly east and south of the Appalachians.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
The moth’s wingspan ranges from 37 to 45 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
In southeastern Georgia it is found in open, sandy pine-oak forests.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Larvae feed on scrub oak species, including Quercus ilicifolia.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults are on the wing from April to May and again from July to August.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
The flight periods are spring (April-May) and midsummer (July-August).
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 24 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Texas, New Jersey, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Connecticut, North Carolina, Ohio, Minnesota.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
When can I see adult bold-based zale moths?
Adults fly in two periods: April through May and July through August.
Source: Wikipedia
What do the caterpillars of Zale lunifera eat?
The caterpillars feed on scrub oaks such as Quercus ilicifolia.
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/Zale_lunifera
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-26 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-26.