Bug FAQDecorated Owlet
Pangrapta decoralis · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Erebidae
Also called: Decorated Owlet Moth
The decorated owlet is a moth belonging to the family Erebidae. Its wings measure about 20 to 28 mm across. It lives across North America, from Alberta and Nova Scotia down to Florida and Texas, and its caterpillars feed on Vaccinium plants.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
The moth’s wingspan ranges from 20 to 28 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It is found throughout North America, from Canadian provinces such as Alberta and Nova Scotia down to the southern United States including Florida and Texas.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
The larvae feed on plants in the Vaccinium genus.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults are active from May through September and the species produces two to three generations each year.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
You can see adult moths on the wing between May and September.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its native range covers North America, extending from Alberta and Nova Scotia southward to Florida and Texas.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 34 of 51 states and DC. Most records: North Carolina, Alabama, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Tennessee, Maryland, Georgia, Virginia.
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
When can I see adult decorated owlets?
Adults are on the wing from May until September.
Source: Wikipedia
What do the caterpillars eat?
The larvae feed on Vaccinium species such as blueberries.
Source: Wikipedia
Where is the decorated owlet found?
It occurs across North America, from Alberta and Nova Scotia down to Florida and Texas.
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 acreaSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pangrapta_decoralis
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.