Silver-spotted Fern Moth
Common NameSilver-spotted Fern Moth
Scientific NamePhytometra ernestinana
FamilyErebidae
SubfamilyBoletobiinae
Wingspan (mm)22
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsreddish-brown, white, silver
HabitatWoodlands, forests, areas with ferns
Geographic RangeEastern North America, from Nova Scotia south to Florida, west to Texas and Manitoba
Host PlantsBracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum), other ferns
Flight PeriodMay to September (bivoltine in some areas)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed on various fern species. The species typically overwinters in the pupal stage.
Identification TipsLook for the unique combination of reddish-brown forewings with irregular white and silvery spots, especially the prominent silvery spot near the center of the forewing, and the noticeably jagged outer wing margins.
Description
A small moth characterized by its rich reddish-brown forewings adorned with prominent, irregular white and silvery-white spots, and distinctive jagged wing margins.
