Dotted Graylet
Common NameDotted Graylet
Scientific NameIdia americalis
FamilyErebidae
SubfamilyHerminiinae
Wingspan (mm)20
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsgray, brown, black
HabitatWoodlands, forests, suburban areas, gardens
Geographic RangeEastern North America, from Nova Scotia south to Florida and west to Texas and Manitoba
Host Plantsdecaying leaves, detritus, fungi, lichens
Flight PeriodMay to October (multiple broods)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are detritivores, feeding on decaying plant matter, fungi, and lichens. They pupate in leaf litter or soil.
Identification TipsLook for its mottled gray-brown coloration, the presence of faint wavy antemedial and postmedial lines, and a small, often dark discal spot. It typically rests with its wings held flat.
Description
A small, mottled gray-brown moth with indistinct wavy lines and a small, often inconspicuous discal spot on the forewings, giving it a cryptic appearance.
