Bug FAQCisthene deserta
Cisthene deserta · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Erebidae
The forewings measure about 9 to 11 mm in length. It occurs in North America, specifically recorded in Utah and California. Adults are active from April through July.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Forewing length is 9 to 11 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults fly from April to July.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Found in North America, with records from Utah and California.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 1 of 51 states and DC. Most records: California.
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 are adult Cisthene deserta active?
Adults are on the wing from April through July.
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/Cisthene_deserta
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-25 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-25.