Bug FAQFringe-tree Sallow
Sympistis chionanthi · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Noctuidae
Also called: Fringe-tree Sallow Moth
The fringe-tree sallow has a wingspan of roughly 33 to 38 mm. It lives across much of North America, from the northern plains to the Atlantic coast and down to the mid-Atlantic and central states. Adults appear from August through October, while the caterpillars can be found in May and June.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Adults are active from August to October in a single yearly generation.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Wingspan measures about 33 to 38 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It inhabits deciduous woodlands, including riparian zones, as well as plantations and farmyard shelterbelts.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults are on the wing from August to October, producing one generation each year. Caterpillars are present in May and June.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
The flight period for adults runs from August through October.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its range extends from North Dakota east to Nova Scotia and south to Virginia and Kansas.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 25 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Connecticut, New York, Montana, Vermont, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in Canada. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
When can I see adult fringe-tree sallow moths?
Adults are on the wing from August through October.
Source: Wikipedia
What do the caterpillars eat?
They feed on ash and fringe-tree species, especially Chionanthus virginicus.
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/Sympistis_chionanthi
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.