Bug FAQDarker-spotted Straw Moth
Heliothis phloxiphaga · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Noctuidae
Also called: Spotted Buff Gem Moth
Source: Wikipedia
It lives in the United States and southern Canada. Adults are active in the summer months. The larvae feed on a variety of plants and are pests of elm, apple, and stone fruit trees.
Source: Wikipedia
Is it a pest in the house?
The larvae are considered pests of elm, apple, and stone fruit trees.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
You can find this moth across the United States and into southern Canada.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
The caterpillars eat many plant species, especially the leaves of elm, apple, and stone fruit trees.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Moths are on the wing during the summer.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its range includes the United States and southern Canada.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
Heliothis acesias and Heliothis australis were once grouped with this species.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 32 of 51 states and DC. Most records: California, Colorado, Washington, Texas, Oregon, Michigan, Wyoming, Idaho.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in Canada; native in United States. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
Which trees are damaged by the darker-spotted straw moth?
Its caterpillars feed on and can defoliate elm, apple, and stone fruit trees.
Source: Wikipedia
Where is this moth found?
It occurs throughout the United States and into southern Canada.
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/Heliothis_phloxiphaga
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.