Grateful Midget
Common NameGrateful Midget
Scientific NameEublemma gratissima
FamilyErebidae
SubfamilyEublemminae
Wingspan (mm)17.5
Primary Colorsreddish-brown, brown, metallic bronze, pale cream
HabitatOpen woodlands, grasslands, fields, and gardens where host plants are present.
Geographic RangeEastern North America, from southern Canada south to Florida and west to Texas.
Host Plantsgoldenrod (Solidago spp.), asters (Symphyotrichum spp.), various other Asteraceae
Flight PeriodMay to October (multiple broods)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis. Larvae are caterpillars that feed on the flowers and seeds of various composite plants (Asteraceae).
Identification TipsKey features include its small size, the overall reddish-brown color with a metallic sheen, and the characteristic pattern of pale-ringed reniform and orbicular spots on the forewings.
Description
A small reddish-brown moth with intricate patterns, featuring metallic bronze scaling, distinct pale-ringed reniform and orbicular spots, and a slightly scalloped outer margin on the forewings.
