Arctiinae
Guides
Acsala anomala
Rockslide Lichen Moth
Acsala anomala, commonly known as the Rockslide Lichen Moth, is a rare and poorly known species of lichen moth in the family Erebidae. It represents the sole member of its genus and the monotypic tribe Acsalina. The species is endemic to Alaska, where it inhabits rocky alpine environments. Its biology and ecology remain largely undocumented due to its restricted range and apparent rarity.
Agylla
Agylla is a genus of moths in the subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae, established by Francis Walker in 1854. These moths belong to the tribe Lithosiini, commonly known as footman moths. The genus contains numerous species distributed across various regions. Agylla moths are part of a diverse group of tiger moths and their relatives.
Agylla septentrionalis
Agylla septentrionalis is a moth species in the family Erebidae, described by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1911. It is recorded from North America, with specific localities including Arizona and South Carolina. The species has a wingspan of approximately 37 mm. It belongs to the subfamily Arctiinae (tiger moths) and tribe Lithosiini (lichen moths).
Apantesis
tiger moths
Apantesis is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, first described by Francis Walker in 1855. Following phylogenetic research published in 2016, the genera Grammia, Holarctia, and Notarctia were merged into Apantesis, substantially expanding its species diversity. The genus is found in North and Central America, with some species documented in other regions including Iraq. Members are characterized by bold color patterns typical of tiger moths, including striped forewings and often brightly colored abdomens that serve as aposematic signals.
Apantesis allectans
Apantesis allectans is a small tiger moth in the family Erebidae, originally described as Grammia allectans by Douglas C. Ferguson in 1985. The species was later transferred to Apantesis as part of a broader reclassification of tiger moth genera. It has a restricted distribution in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, where it inhabits montane pine forests at moderate elevations.
Apantesis behrii
Apantesis behrii is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Stretch in 1872. The species occurs in the western United States from Oregon south through California, with highest abundance in the Siskiyou and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges. It inhabits dry, rocky mountain environments and has a narrow adult flight period from early August to late September. Larvae feed on specific host plants including Lotus humistratus and Amsinckia species. The species was transferred from the genus Grammia to Apantesis based on phylogenetic revision.
Apantesis blakei
Blake's Tiger Moth
Apantesis blakei, commonly known as Blake's Tiger Moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. First described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1864, this species was formerly classified under the genus Grammia but was transferred to Apantesis along with related genera. It is native to the North American Great Plains and southern prairie provinces of Canada, where its larvae feed on a documented range of grass and sedge species.
Apantesis carlotta-nais-phalerata-vittata
A tiger moth species complex in the genus Apantesis, characterized by striking black-and-white striped forewing patterns typical of the group. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. The taxonomic status of this entity as a distinct species versus a species complex remains unresolved, reflecting ongoing taxonomic revision within the genus.
Apantesis edwardsii
A tiger moth in the family Erebidae, Apantesis edwardsii was described by Stretch in 1872. It has a highly restricted distribution, known only from the San Francisco area of California and Klamath County in Oregon. The species was transferred from the genus Grammia to Apantesis in a taxonomic revision that consolidated several related genera.
Apantesis hewletti
Apantesis hewletti is a small tiger moth species in the family Erebidae, originally described from southwestern California in 1918. It was formerly classified under the genus Grammia but was reassigned to Apantesis following taxonomic revisions that consolidated several related genera. Adults are characterized by striking coloration with black forewings bearing pale bands and bright yellow to orange-red hindwings. The species has been documented in May, though comprehensive data on its biology and ecology remains limited.
Apantesis nais
Nais tiger moth
Apantesis nais, commonly known as the Nais tiger moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. First described by Dru Drury in 1773, this medium-sized moth is distinguished by its striking black-and-cream forewing pattern and variable reddish or yellow hindwings with bold black spotting. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in wing pattern, with males displaying more extensive pale markings than females. It is widely distributed across eastern and central North America.
Apantesis nevadensis superba
Grammia nevadensis superba
Apantesis nevadensis superba is a subspecies of tiger moth in the family Erebidae, originally described as Arctia superba by Stretch in 1874. It belongs to a group of tiger moths formerly placed in the genus Grammia. The subspecies is part of the Apantesis nevadensis species complex, which includes moths with distinctive striped forewing patterns characteristic of tiger moths. Like other members of its genus, it possesses defensive compounds as a chemical defense against predators. The subspecies has been documented through limited observations, with records in iNaturalist indicating it is encountered infrequently.
Apantesis ornata
Ornate Tiger Moth, Achaia Moth
Apantesis ornata is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, originally described by Packard in 1864 under the name Callarctia ornata. The species was long classified in the genus Grammia before being transferred to Apantesis in a 2016 revision that consolidated several related genera. It occurs across western North America from southern British Columbia to southern California and eastward to the Rocky Mountain states. Adults are active during summer months and are attracted to light. The species exhibits the bright warning coloration typical of tiger moths, though specific details of its biology remain incompletely documented.
Apantesis phyllira
Phyllira Tiger Moth
Apantesis phyllira, commonly known as the Phyllira Tiger Moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. First described by Dru Drury in 1773, this moth was formerly classified under the genus Grammia but was transferred to Apantesis along with related species. It occurs across a broad range of North America from eastern Canada to the southern United States and west to the Great Plains. The species is listed as endangered in Connecticut, reflecting conservation concerns in parts of its range.
Apantesis virgo
Virgin Tiger Moth
A tiger moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Linnaeus in 1758. The species was transferred from the genus Grammia to Apantesis in 2009 along with related taxa. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate form in the Great Lakes and Atlantic regions, and A. v. gigas in the southeastern United States. The species overwinters as larvae.
Apantesis virguncula
Little Virgin Tiger Moth
Apantesis virguncula, commonly known as the Little Virgin Tiger Moth, is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae. The species was originally described by W. Kirby in 1837 under the name Callimorpha virguncula, and has undergone several taxonomic revisions, most recently being transferred from the genus Grammia to Apantesis. It is widely distributed across southern Canada and the United States, with adults active primarily from mid-June to late July. The larvae feed on various herbaceous plants, particularly members of the family Asteraceae.
Apantesis vittata
Banded Tiger Moth
Apantesis vittata, commonly known as the banded tiger moth, is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1787. It occurs in the southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States, with adults active from early spring through autumn. The species has a wingspan of 32–42 mm and larvae feed on various herbaceous plants including dandelions.
Apeplopoda mecrida
Apeplopoda mecrida is a moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. First described by Herbert Druce in 1889, this species occurs from the southwestern United States through Central America. It belongs to the subtribe Euchromiina, a group of tiger moths often characterized by bright coloration and diurnal activity. The species has been recorded in multiple countries, suggesting a relatively broad geographic range within its habitat zone.
Arachnis
Arachnis is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae (tiger moths). The genus was established by Geyer in 1837. Members of this genus are part of the diverse tiger moth assemblage, characterized by aposematic coloration and chemical defenses derived from host plant compounds. The genus is not to be confused with the orchid genus Arachnis Blume, 1825, which is a homonym in a different kingdom.
Arachnis aulaea
aulaean tiger-moth, tiger moth
Arachnis aulaea is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Carl Geyer in 1837. It is known from southern Arizona through Mexico to Guatemala. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate A. a. aulaea and A. a. pompeia described by Druce in 1894.
Arachnis citra
Arachnis citra is a moth in the family Erebidae, described by Berthold Neumögen and Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1893. It was formerly treated as a subspecies of Arachnis picta but is now recognized as a distinct species. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and has two recognized subspecies.
Arctia yarrowii
Yarrow's tiger moth, Mountain Tiger Moth
Arctia yarrowii, commonly known as Yarrow's tiger moth or Mountain Tiger Moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. It was first described by Richard Harper Stretch in 1874. The species inhabits high-elevation alpine environments in western North America, specifically barren rocky fellfields and slides above the timberline. Adults are active during mid-summer, with forewings approximately 22 mm in length.
Biturix
Biturix is a genus of moths in the subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. It was established by Francis Walker in 1855. The genus contains eight recognized species distributed in the Neotropical region. Species are characterized by distinctive wing patterns and venation.
Carales
Carales is a genus of tussock moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. These moths are part of the diverse arctiine lineage, many of which possess chemical defenses and distinctive larval setae. The genus was established by Francis Walker in 1855. Species within Carales occur in the Neotropical region.
Cisthene coronado
Cisthene coronado is a moth species in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, tribe Lithosiini. Described by Carroll B. Knowlton in 1967, it is currently known only from the US state of Arizona. As a member of the lichen moth genus Cisthene, it likely exhibits the typical aposematic coloration and lichen-mimicking appearance characteristic of this group, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented.
Cisthene deserta
Cisthene deserta is a small moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. First described by Felder in 1868, this species has a restricted distribution in western North America, recorded from Utah and California. Adults are active from spring through mid-summer, with forewings measuring 9–11 mm.
Cisthene kentuckiensis
Kentucky Lichen Moth
Cisthene kentuckiensis, known as the Kentucky lichen moth, is a species of lichen moth in the family Erebidae. It was described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1904. The species is found in the eastern and central United States, with larvae that feed on lichens.
Cisthene martini
Martin's Lichen Moth
Cisthene martini, known as Martin's Lichen Moth, is a small erebid moth described by Carroll B. Knowlton in 1967. It is restricted to the southwestern United States, occurring in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. The species is one of approximately 40 members of the genus Cisthene in North America, a group commonly referred to as lichen moths due to their typical association with lichen-dominated habitats and cryptic coloration patterns.
Cisthene tenuifascia schwarziorum
Cisthene tenuifascia schwarziorum is a subspecies of lichen moth in the family Erebidae. As a member of the genus Cisthene, it belongs to a group of small, often brightly patterned tiger moths. The genus Cisthene is part of the tribe Lithosiini, which includes species commonly known as lichen moths due to their frequent association with lichen-covered substrates. This subspecies was described from populations in the southwestern United States.
Composia
Tiger moths
Composia is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, established by Jacob Hübner in 1820. The genus contains at least three described species: Composia credula, Composia fidelissima, and Composia utowana. These moths belong to the subfamily Arctiinae, a group historically treated as the family Arctiidae but now classified within Erebidae. Members are found in the Americas, with records primarily from North America and the Neotropics.
Cosmosoma achemon
Cosmosoma achemon is a moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1781. It occurs in the Neotropical region, with a range extending from the Antilles through northern South America to Santarém in Pará, Brazil. As a member of the genus Cosmosoma, it belongs to a group of tiger moths often noted for bright coloration and warning patterns associated with chemical defense.
Crambidia
Crambidia is a genus of lichen moths in the family Erebidae, tribe Lithosiini. The genus was established by Packard in 1864 and contains approximately 13 described species. Species in this genus are characterized by pale, often whitish or cream-colored wings with relatively simple patterning. They are distributed primarily in North America.
Crambidia cephalica
Yellow-headed Lichen Moth
Crambidia cephalica, the yellow-headed lichen moth, is a small erebid moth described by Grote and Robinson in 1870. It is known from the central and southern United States, where it inhabits steppes and open forests. Adults are active from March through September and produce multiple generations per year. The species has a documented forewing length of 9–15 mm.
Crambidia pallida
Pale Lichen Moth
Crambidia pallida, commonly known as the pale lichen moth, is a North American moth species in the family Erebidae. First described by Packard in 1864, it occurs across a broad geographic range spanning eastern and central North America. The species inhabits forest and woodland environments. As a member of the lichen moth tribe Lithosiini, adults are likely associated with lichen-based ecology, though specific life history details remain poorly documented in available sources.
Ctenucha cressonana
Cresson's ctenucha
Ctenucha cressonana, commonly known as Cresson's ctenucha, is a moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. The species was described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1863. It is a member of the genus Ctenucha, a group of tiger moths known for their wasp-mimicking appearance and diurnal activity. The species occurs in the Rocky Mountains of the southwestern United States. Adults have been observed laying eggs on grass blades, though the specific host plant for larval development remains unknown.
Ctenucha multifaria
White-margined Ctenucha Moth
Ctenucha multifaria is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, occurring in California and western Oregon. It is one of several species in the widespread genus Ctenucha, which are frequently encountered on flowers during late summer and fall. Like other members of its genus, it exhibits wasp-mimicking coloration with metallic blue-black body and contrasting markings. The species was described by Francis Walker in 1854.
Cycnia collaris
Unexpected Cycnia Moth
Cycnia collaris is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Asa Fitch in 1857. It is distributed across the southern United States from Arizona eastward to Florida and northward to Oklahoma. Adults are active in spring and fall, with records from April and October suggesting a bimodal flight pattern possibly representing two generations per year. The species belongs to a genus whose members are known for aposematic coloration and defensive clicking behavior against bat predation.
Cycnia oregonensis
Oregon Cycnia Moth
Cycnia oregonensis is a moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. Adults are nearly uniform in color and pattern throughout most of their range, with forewings measuring 19–20 mm. The species has been observed feeding on Apocynum species as larvae. A distinct subspecies, C. o. tristis, occurs in a small area near Olympia, Washington and is markedly grayer with reduced patterning.
Dysschema howardi
Northern Giant Flag Moth
Dysschema howardi, known as the Northern Giant Flag Moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. It was described by Edwards in 1887. The species is found in southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It belongs to a genus characterized by large, boldly patterned moths often referred to as "flag moths" due to their striking wing patterns.
Ectypia mexicana
Ectypia mexicana is a moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae (tiger moths). First described by Paul Dognin in 1911, this species has a restricted distribution in southern North America. The species was originally described under the basionym Euverna mexicana before being transferred to the genus Ectypia.
Empyreuma
spotted oleander caterpillar moth
Empyreuma is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, containing three species. The genus name derives from the Greek ἐμπύρευμα, meaning "a live coal covered with ashes." Adults exhibit striking aposematic coloration with orange and black patterns that mimic stinging wasps. Larvae feed exclusively on oleander (Nerium oleander), a toxic plant containing cardiac glycosides that the caterpillars sequester for their own defense. The genus is notable for its acoustic courtship behavior, with males producing sounds detected by female tympanic organs.
Episcepsis
Episcepsis is a genus of tiger moths within the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. The genus was established by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1877. Species in this genus are part of the diverse tiger moth radiation in the Neotropical region.
Episcepsis inornata
Episcepsis inornata is a moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. It was described by Francis Walker in 1856. The species is known from Central America, with confirmed records from Guatemala and Costa Rica, and has also been documented in southern Texas. The wingspan measures approximately 37 mm. The specific epithet 'inornata' (Latin for 'unadorned') suggests relatively plain coloration compared to congeners.
Estigmene
Ermine Moths
Estigmene is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Jacob Hübner in 1820. Species in this genus are native to North and Central America. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, with many African and Asian species formerly included now separated into different genera. The most well-known species is Estigmene acrea, commonly called the saltmarsh caterpillar or woollybear, which is a widespread generalist herbivore and occasional agricultural pest.
Estigmene albida
Estigmene albida is a moth species in the family Erebidae, described by Richard Harper Stretch in 1874. It is a medium-sized tiger moth with a wingspan of approximately 50 mm. The species occurs in western and southwestern North America, with a range extending from Montana and South Dakota south to New Mexico and Arizona, and disjunct populations in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Guatemala.
Euchaetes
tussock moths, milkweed tussock moths, milkweed tiger moths
Euchaetes is a genus of arctiine tussock moths in the family Erebidae, described by Thaddeus William Harris in 1841. The genus includes species commonly known as milkweed tussock moths or milkweed tiger moths, many of which are specialized feeders on milkweed plants (Asclepiadaceae). Caterpillars of well-known species such as E. egle sequester cardiac glycosides from their host plants, making them unpalatable to predators. Adults of some species have evolved ultrasonic acoustic defenses against bat predation, representing a notable example of acoustic aposematism.
Euchaetes albicosta
Euchaetes albicosta is a moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. Described by Francis Walker in 1855, this species occurs from Texas southward through Mexico to Nicaragua. The specific epithet 'albicosta' refers to a white costal margin on the forewing. Little is known about its biology compared to the better-studied congener Euchaetes egle (milkweed tiger moth).
Euchaetes elegans
Elegant Pygarctia, Elegant Tussock Moth
Euchaetes elegans is a moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, first described by Richard Harper Stretch in 1874. It ranges across the southwestern United States and extends south through Mexico to Colombia. Adults are active during summer months, with flight activity recorded from July through September. The larvae feed exclusively on Asclepias species (milkweeds), sequestering cardiac glycosides for chemical defense.
Euchaetes perlevis
Euchaetes perlevis is a small moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1882. It is known from the southwestern United States. The species has a wingspan of approximately 23 mm. Very little is documented about its biology beyond basic taxonomic and distributional records.
Euchaetes zella
Euchaetes zella is a small moth in the family Erebidae, described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1903. It occurs in the southwestern United States and is one of approximately 20 species in the genus Euchaetes. The genus is notable for including the milkweed tussock moth (Euchaetes egle), whose biology has been well studied, though comparable details for E. zella remain undocumented.