Bug FAQCellar Graphic
Melipotis cellaris · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Erebidae
Also called: Cellar Melipotis, Cellar Melipotis Moth
The adult’s wingspan measures about 35 to 37 mm. It occurs in Mexico, parts of South America, the West Indies and several southern U.S. states including Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas. In Texas, adults can be seen flying throughout the year.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Wingspan is roughly 35 to 37 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults are active year-round in Texas.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 9 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arizona, Kansas, Arkansas, Florida, Alabama.
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
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 acreaSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melipotis_cellaris
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.