Metalectra discalis, the common fungus moth, is a moth of the family Erebidae. The species was first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1876. It is found in North America from Wisconsin to Quebec and Maine, south to Florida, west to Texas and Missouri, north to Ontario.

Metalectra discalis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Genus: Metalectra
Species:
M. discalis
Binomial name
Metalectra discalis
(Grote, 1876)

The wingspan is 20–29 mm. Adults are on wing from May to September in the south and from June to August in the north. There are probably two or more generations per year.

Larvae have been recorded on bracket fungi and probably feed on other persistent fungi as well.

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  • Wagner, David L.; Schweitzer, Dale F.; Sullivan, J. Bolling & Reardon, Richard C. (2011). Owlet Caterpillars of Eastern North America. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0691150420.
  • McLeod, Robin (August 15, 2018). "Species Metalectra discalis - Common Fungus Moth - Hodges#8499". BugGuide. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  • "930679.00 – 8499 – Metalectra discalis – Common Fungus Moth – (Grote, 1876)". North American Moth Photographers Group. Mississippi State University. Retrieved November 18, 2019.