Bug FAQCisthene liberomacula
Cisthene liberomacula · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Erebidae
Cisthene liberomacula is a small moth whose forewings measure about 8 to 10 mm long. Adults are active in April and from June through November, and they live in coastal oak habitats along California’s shoreline. The caterpillars feed on lichens that grow on oak trees.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
The forewing length ranges from 8 to 10 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It inhabits areas where coastal live oaks grow.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Larvae feed on lichens that grow on oak trees.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults are on the wing in April and again from June through November.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
The species is found along the coast of California, USA.
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 can I see adult Cisthene liberomacula?
Adults are active in April and from June to November.
Source: Wikipedia
Where does this moth live?
It lives in coastal areas with live oaks along the California shoreline.
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_liberomacula
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.