Bug FAQSetaceous Hebrew Character
Xestia c-nigrum · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Noctuidae
Also called: Seteceous Hebrew Character, Cutworm Moth, Spotted Cutworm, Lesser Black-letter Dart Moth
The Setaceous Hebrew Character moth has a wingspan of about 35 to 45 mm and reddish-brown forewings with a black mark shaped like the Hebrew letter nun and a pale cream area nearby. It is common across Europe and much of Asia, flies at night from May to October, and its larvae overwinter. The moth feeds on many different plants and is attracted to light, sugar, and flowers such as buddleia, ivy and ragwort.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Forewings are reddish brown with a black mark that looks like the Hebrew letter nun and a nearby pale cream area. Hindwings are cream coloured.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Wingspan ranges from 35 to 45 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Adults feed on a wide variety of plants and are attracted to light, sugar, and flowers like buddleia, ivy and ragwort.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Two generations are produced each year, with adults flying from May to October. The species overwinters in the larval stage.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Found throughout the Palearctic region, especially common in Europe, North and Central Asia, China, Japan and Korea.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 33 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Oregon, Alaska, California, Montana, Michigan, Massachusetts, Washington, Ohio.
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
Questions people ask
Are these moths a problem for gardens or crops?
They feed on many plants, but the sources do not state they cause damage.
Source: Wikipedia
When can I expect to see these moths?
Adults are active from May through October, with two generations each year.
Source: Wikipedia
How can I identify a Setaceous Hebrew Character moth?
Look for a 35 to 45 mm wingspan, reddish-brown forewings with a black nun-shaped mark and a pale cream patch, and cream-coloured hindwings.
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/Setaceous_Hebrew_character
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-22 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.