Bug FAQVariegated Midget
Elaphria versicolor · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Noctuidae
Also called: Fir Harlequin, Variegated Midget Moth
Source: Wikipedia
The variegated midget is a small moth with a wingspan of about 22 mm. It lives in the northeastern part of North America, such as Ontario and Ohio.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Elaphria versicolor, called the variegated midget, belongs to the Noctuidae family of moths.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
The adult’s wingspan measures roughly 22 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It is found in northeastern North America, including places like Ontario and Ohio.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults are on the wing from May through July, depending on location.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
The flight period spans May to July, varying with region.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its native range is the northeastern region of North America, covering parts of Canada and the United States.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 33 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Maryland, Alabama, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, Ohio, Massachusetts.
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 are adult variegated midgets active?
Adults fly from May to July, depending on where they live.
Source: Wikipedia
Where is the variegated midget found?
It occurs in northeastern North America, including Ontario and Ohio.
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/Elaphria_versicolor
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.