Bug FAQLead-colored Lichen Moth
Cisthene plumbea · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Erebidae
The lead-colored lichen moth has a wingspan of about 17 to 21 mm. It lives in the eastern United States, from southern New Jersey down to northern Florida and west to Wisconsin and Texas. Its caterpillars feed on lichen.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
The species is called Cisthene plumbea, the lead-colored lichen moth.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Adults have a wingspan ranging from 17 to 21 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
The larvae feed on lichen.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Most of its range produces two generations each year, while Louisiana can have three.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults are on the wing from June through September.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its native range is the eastern United States, covering the same area as its habitat.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 25 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Texas, Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina, Louisiana, New Jersey, Virginia, Georgia.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in Canada; native in United States. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
What do the larvae of the lead-colored lichen moth eat?
The caterpillars feed on lichen.
Source: Wikipedia
When can I see adult lead-colored lichen moths?
Adults are active from June to September.
Source: Wikipedia
How many generations does this moth have each year?
Usually two generations per year, but three in Louisiana.
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/Cisthene_plumbea
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.