Bug FAQMerry Graphic Moth
Melipotis jucunda · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Erebidae
Also called: Merry Melipotis Moth, Merry Graphic Owlet, Merry Melipotis
The moth’s wingspan measures about 35 to 42 millimeters. It occurs from the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico through Colombia, much of the United States, western Canada, and into northeast Brazil. In New Jersey it produces two or three generations each year, while farther south it can have many more.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Adults have a wingspan of roughly 35 to 42 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
The caterpillars feed on willow species such as Salix bonplandia and Salix wrighti, on various Acacia species, and on Calliandra eriophylla.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
In New Jersey the species produces two to three generations per year, and in the southern part of its range it can have many more generations.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 41 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Texas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Montana.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in United States; native in Canada. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
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/Melipotis_jucunda
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.