Bug FAQBoreal Fan Moth
Brachionycha borealis · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Noctuidae
The Boreal Fan Moth has a wingspan of about 45 mm and belongs to the Noctuidae family, described in 1899. It lives across North America from the northeastern United States west to central Alberta, flying in spring from April to May. Its caterpillars feed on oak (Quercus) and blueberry (Vaccinium) plants, and the species produces one generation each year.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
The adult’s wingspan measures roughly 45 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
The larvae feed on oak (Quercus) and blueberry (Vaccinium) species.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
There is one generation per year.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults are on the wing from April to May, depending on location.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its range includes the United States and Canada from the northeast to central western regions.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 4 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, West Virginia.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in Canada. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
When are Boreal Fan Moths active?
Adults fly in the spring, typically from April through May, though the exact timing varies by region.
Source: Wikipedia
What do the caterpillars eat?
The larvae feed on oak (Quercus) and blueberry (Vaccinium) plants.
Source: Wikipedia
How many generations do they have each year?
The species produces a single generation annually.
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/Brachionycha_borealis
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-28 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-28.