Acontiinae
Guides
Tarache aprica
Exposed Bird Dropping Moth, Nun
Tarache aprica, commonly known as the exposed bird dropping moth, is a small noctuid moth native to North America. The species exhibits bird-dropping mimicry as a defensive strategy. Adults are active from March through September in southern portions of their range, with a reduced season in northern areas. The larvae feed specifically on Alcea rosea (hollyhock).
Tarache areloides
A small noctuid moth of the subfamily Acontiinae, first described from the southwestern United States in 1912. Adults have forewings 12–14 mm in length and are active from July through September. The species exhibits a distinctive bird-dropping mimicry coloration, a common defensive adaptation among acontiine moths.
Tarache axendra
Tarache axendra is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Acontiinae, described by Schaus in 1898. It belongs to the genus Tarache, which contains small to medium-sized moths commonly known as bird-dropping mimics due to their cryptic coloration. The species occurs in North America. Like other members of the Acontiinae, adults are likely nocturnal and attracted to light sources.
Tarache bella
Tarache bella is a species of bird-dropping moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by William Barnes and Foster Hendrickson Benjamin in 1922. It is found in North America. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9147.
Tarache cora
Tarache cora is a species of bird-dropping moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1918. It is found in North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9151. The species belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae, a group of small noctuoid moths often characterized by distinctive resting postures and coloration patterns.
Tarache dacia
brown cotton leafworm
Tarache dacia is a species of noctuid moth commonly known as the brown cotton leafworm. It belongs to the bird dropping moth group within the subfamily Acontiinae, characterized by larvae that feed on plants in the genus Hibiscus. The species was originally described as Acontia dacia by Druce in 1889 and is currently classified under the genus Tarache.
Tarache delecta
Delightful Bird-dropping Moth, Mallow Caterpillar (larval stage)
Tarache delecta, commonly known as the delightful bird-dropping moth, is a noctuid moth in the subfamily Acontiinae. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1858. It is notable as the only member of the Acontiinae known to feed on plants in the genus Hibiscus. The larval stage, referred to as the 'mallow caterpillar,' has been considered a pest of ornamental mallows.
Tarache expolita
Polished Bird-dropping Moth
Tarache expolita is a noctuid moth species commonly known as the Polished Bird-dropping Moth, named for its resemblance to bird droppings—a form of protective mimicry. First described by Grote in 1882, this species belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae within the family Noctuidae. The species is documented across North America with over 800 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is relatively well-encountered by observers. Its Hodges number is 9149.
Tarache flavipennis
bird dropping moth
Tarache flavipennis is a species of bird dropping moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Grote in 1873. The species is found in North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9140. As a member of the subfamily Acontiinae, it belongs to a group of small noctuid moths often associated with bird-dropping mimicry.
Tarache huachuca
Tarache huachuca is a species of bird-dropping moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Smith in 1903. The species belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae, a group known for their characteristic wing patterns that resemble bird droppings, providing camouflage against predators. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9113 in North American moth classification systems. The specific epithet refers to the Huachuca Mountains in southeastern Arizona.
Tarache idella
Tarache idella is a small noctuid moth first described by William Barnes in 1905. It is known from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and Texas. Adults are active in September and are characterized by distinctive orange-yellow forewings with vertical black markings and a bright orange apical spot. The species belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae, a group of moths whose larvae often feed on specific host plants.
Tarache knowltoni
Tarache knowltoni
Tarache knowltoni is a species of bird dropping moth in the family Noctuidae. It belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae, a group of small moths often characterized by cryptic coloration resembling bird droppings. The species was described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1940.
Tarache lagunae
Tarache lagunae is a species of bird dropping moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Mustelin & Leuschner in 2000. It belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae, a group of small to medium-sized moths often characterized by distinctive wing patterns. The species is found in North America, with its specific epithet "lagunae" suggesting a possible association with lagoon or wetland habitats. Like other members of the genus Tarache, adults likely exhibit cryptic coloration resembling bird droppings, a common defensive adaptation in this group.
Tarache lanceolata
Tarache lanceolata is a species of bird dropping moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1879. The species is known from North America and has been assigned the MONA/Hodges number 9153. It belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae, a group commonly referred to as bird dropping moths due to their cryptic coloration that resembles avian feces.
Tarache lucasi
bird dropping moth
Tarache lucasi is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as a bird dropping moth due to its camouflage appearance resembling avian feces. The species was originally described as Acontia lucasi by Smith in 1900 and later transferred to the genus Tarache. It belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae, a group of small to medium-sized noctuid moths. The MONA (Moths of North America) or Hodges number for this species is 9148.
Tarache major
Tarache major is a species of bird dropping moth in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Acontiinae. The species was described by Smith in 1900 and is also known by the synonym Acontia major. It is assigned Hodges number 9152 in the North American moth numbering system. Like other members of the genus Tarache, it likely exhibits cryptic coloration resembling bird droppings as a defensive adaptation.
Tarache quadriplaga
Four-patched Bird-dropping Moth
Tarache quadriplaga is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Smith in 1900. It belongs to the bird-dropping moth group, named for the distinctive appearance of its larvae and/or adults that resembles bird droppings—a form of protective mimicry. The species is found in North America and is classified within the subfamily Acontiinae.
Tarache sedata
bird-dropping moth
Tarache sedata is a species of bird-dropping moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Henry Edwards in 1881. It belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae, a group commonly known as bird-dropping moths due to their cryptic coloration that resembles bird feces. The species is found in North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Tarache tenuicula
Tarache tenuicula is a species of bird dropping moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Morrison in 1875. It belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae, a group commonly known as bird dropping moths due to their cryptic coloration and posture that resembles avian feces. The species is recorded from North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited.
Tarache terminimaculata
Curve-lined Bird-dropping Moth
Tarache terminimaculata is a noctuid moth species described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873. It belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae, a group commonly known as bird-dropping moths due to their cryptic appearance resembling avian feces. The species is found in North America and has been assigned Hodges number 9145.
Tarache toddi
Tarache toddi is a moth species in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Acontiinae. The species was described in 2009 by Clifford D. Ferris and Donald Lafontaine based on specimens collected in southwestern North America. It belongs to a genus whose larvae are typically associated with specific host plants, including species in the genus Hibiscus. The species is relatively recently described and appears to have limited published information beyond its original description.
Thurberiphaga diffusa
Thurberiphaga diffusa is the sole species in the monotypic moth genus Thurberiphaga, placed in the family Noctuidae (subfamily Acontiinae, tribe Chamaecleini). The genus was erected by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1920, with the species originally described by William Barnes in 1904. This noctuid moth is known from North America, though specific details about its biology and host associations remain poorly documented in available literature.