Arctiinae
Guides
Euerythra
specter moths
Euerythra is a genus of arctiine tussock moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Leon F. Harvey in 1876. The genus contains three described species, commonly known as specter moths, found in North America. These moths are characterized by distinctive wing patterns and, in at least one species, prominent red coloration on the abdomen.
Euerythra phasma
Red-tailed Specter Moth, red-tailed specter
Euerythra phasma, commonly known as the red-tailed specter moth, is a species in the family Erebidae (subfamily Arctiinae). First described by Leon F. Harvey in 1876, this moth is endemic to the south-central United States. The species is represented by over 1,100 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is relatively well-documented by citizen scientists.
Gardinia
Gardinia is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, and tribe Lithosiini. The genus was established by William Forsell Kirby in 1892. It contains five described species distributed in Central and South America, with the most widely known being Gardinia magnifica. The genus is part of the lichen moth group (Lithosiini), though specific ecological and biological details remain poorly documented.
Gardinia anopla
Gardinia anopla is a moth species in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, described by Hering in 1925. It is known only from Arizona, where adults are active during summer months. The species belongs to the tribe Lithosiini, a group of lichen moths within the tiger moth lineage. Despite being described nearly a century ago, published information about its biology remains limited.
Gnophaela discreta
Gnophaela discreta is a moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Stretch in 1875. It occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species has a wingspan of approximately 38 mm. Its larvae feed on Mertensia species.
Gnophaela latipennis
Wild Forget-me-not Moth
Gnophaela latipennis, commonly known as the Wild Forget-me-not Moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. It is found in the western United States, specifically in Oregon and California. The species was first described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1852. Adults are active from late spring through mid-summer, and the larvae feed on several genera of plants in the borage family, including Cynoglossum, Hackelia, Mertensia, and Myosotis.
Haematomis
Haematomis is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, tribe Lithosiini. The genus was erected by Schaus in 1899 and contains three recognized species: H. mexicana, H. radians, and H. uniformis. Members of this genus are found in the Americas, with records from Mexico and Central America.
Halysidota
tussock moths
Halysidota is a genus of arctiine tussock moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Jacob Hübner in 1819. The genus contains approximately 40 described species distributed primarily in the Americas, with records from the United States through Central and South America to the Caribbean. Several species are well-known, including Halysidota tessellaris (pale tiger moth or banded tussock moth) and Halysidota harrisii (sycamore tussock moth). The genus has been subject to ongoing taxonomic revision, with new species and subspecies described as recently as 2017.
Halysidota davisii
Davis' Tussock Moth
Halysidota davisii, commonly known as Davis' tussock moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. It was described by Henry Edwards in 1874 and is named in honor of Dr. Davis. The species has a restricted distribution in the southwestern United States. Adults are active during summer months, with larvae feeding on specific host plants.
Haploa colona
colona moth
Haploa colona is a tiger moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by Jacob Hübner in 1802. It is distributed across the southeastern and south-central United States. The species has three recognized subspecies: H. c. colona, H. c. fulvicosta, and H. c. conscita. Adult wingspan ranges from 40–58 mm.
Haploa confusa
confused haploa, Lyman's haploa
Haploa confusa is a North American tiger moth in the family Erebidae, first described by H.H. Lyman in 1887. Adults display distinctive cream-colored forewings with brown markings and nearly white hindwings. The caterpillar is strikingly patterned with black ground color, straight yellow dorsal and sub-dorsal stripes, and a broad lateral stripe. The species has been documented feeding on hound's tongue (Cynoglossum officinale) and Penstemon digitalis during larval stages.
Haploa contigua
Neighbor Moth
Haploa contigua, commonly known as the neighbor moth, is a tiger moth species in the family Erebidae. It was first described by Francis Walker in 1855. The species is distributed across eastern North America, ranging from Quebec south to Georgia and westward to the Great Plains. Like other members of the genus Haploa, it is characterized by bold color patterns and belongs to the tiger moth subfamily Arctiinae.
Horama
Texas wasp moth (H. panthalon only)
Horama is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, established by Jacob Hübner in 1819. The genus contains approximately 11 recognized species distributed primarily in the Americas, with notable diversity in the Caribbean region. Several species exhibit striking wasp mimicry, most famously H. panthalon, known as the Texas wasp moth. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, with some species formerly placed here reassigned to related genera such as Poliopastea.
Horama panthalon
Texas Wasp Moth
Horama panthalon, commonly called the Texas Wasp Moth, is a moth in the subfamily Arctiinae (family Erebidae) known for its striking mimicry of paper wasps. The species was described by Fabricius in 1793 and occurs across a broad Neotropical and Nearctic range. Adults are active year-round in warmer regions and possess a wingspan of 32–34 mm. The species exhibits Batesian mimicry, resembling Polistes wasps in coloration and flight behavior as a defense against predators.
Horama plumipes
Horama plumipes is a moth in the subfamily Arctiinae, first described by Dru Drury in 1773. It is distributed from southern Texas through Mexico and Central America to Nicaragua. The species exhibits distinctive black and white coloration with prominent tufted hind legs that give it its specific epithet 'plumipes' (feather-footed). The original description provides detailed morphological information including a wingspan of approximately 45 mm.
Hypercompe caudata
Hypercompe caudata is a tiger moth species in the family Erebidae, described by Francis Walker in 1855. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Central America. Like other members of the genus Hypercompe, it is part of a group commonly known as giant leopard moths due to the striking patterns of the adults and the hairy, often boldly colored caterpillars.
Hypercompe permaculata
many-spotted tiger moth
Hypercompe permaculata, commonly known as the many-spotted tiger moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. It was first described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1872. The species is native to western North America, ranging across the western United States and into parts of northern Mexico and southern Canada.
Hypercompe suffusa
Hypercompe suffusa is a tiger moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by Schaus in 1889. It belongs to the genus Hypercompe, which includes several large, strikingly patterned tiger moths commonly known as giant leopard moths or their caterpillars as woolly bears. The species is native to North America. Specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
Hypocrisias minima
Least Hypocrisias
Hypocrisias minima, commonly known as the Least Hypocrisias, is a moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. The species was first described by Berthold Neumoegen in 1883. It is a small moth with a wingspan of 31–33 mm. The larvae are known to feed on Viguiera dentata.
Hypocrita
Hypocrita is a genus of tiger moths established by Jacob Hübner in 1807. The genus belongs to the family Erebidae (formerly Arctiidae) and contains multiple species distributed across various regions. Some species have been reclassified over time, such as Hypocrita phoenicides. The genus includes the cinnabar moth (Hypocrita jacobaeae), a well-known biological control agent for tansy ragwort.
Hypoprepia cadaverosa
Cadaver Lichen Moth
Hypoprepia cadaverosa is a small moth in the family Erebidae, described by Herman Strecker in 1878. It is known from scattered localities in the western and south-central United States, with records from Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, South Dakota, and South Carolina. Adults are active from May to August and have distinctive pale ochreous wings marked with slate-colored bands.
Inopsis
Inopsis is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, and tribe Lithosiini. The genus was established by Felder in 1874 and contains five described species distributed in the Neotropical region. These moths belong to the lichen moth group (Lithosiini), which are generally small to medium-sized with cryptic coloration.
Lerina
Lerina is a monotypic genus of lichen moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, tribe Lithosiini. The genus contains a single species, Lerina incarnata, commonly known as the crimson-bodied lichen moth. This moth is native to arid regions of southwestern North America, specifically Mexico and southern Arizona. The genus was established by Francis Walker in 1854.
Lerina incarnata
crimson-bodied lichen moth
Lerina incarnata, the crimson-bodied lichen moth, is the sole member of the monotypic genus Lerina. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1854. It belongs to the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae (tiger and lichen moths), and tribe Lithosiini (lichen moths). The species is found in Mexico and southern Arizona.
Leucanopsis perdentata
Leucanopsis perdentata is a moth in the family Erebidae, originally described by William Schaus in 1901. It is distributed across parts of Central America and the southwestern United States. The species has a wingspan of approximately 35 mm. It belongs to the tiger moth subfamily Arctiinae, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Lithosiina
lichen moths
Lithosiina is a subtribe of lichen moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Gustaf Johan Billberg in 1820. Members are commonly known as lichen moths due to their cryptic coloration. The subtribe was previously classified as the tribe Lithosiini within the subfamily Lithosiinae of the family Arctiidae, reflecting ongoing taxonomic revisions in the tiger moth group. It is a well-documented group with over 130,000 observations on iNaturalist.
Lithosiini
Lichen Moths
Lithosiini is a tribe of lichen moths within the family Erebidae, containing approximately 2,752 species. The taxon was originally described by Gustaf Johan Billberg in 1820 as Lithosiinae at subfamily rank, but was reclassified to tribe status following the reorganization of the former family Arctiidae into the subfamily Arctiinae within Erebidae. Members are commonly known as lichen moths due to their typical cryptic coloration resembling lichen substrates. The tribe is divided into multiple subtribes, though the systematics remain in need of revision.
Lophocampa
Lophocampa is a genus of arctiine tussock moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Thaddeus William Harris in 1841. The genus contains approximately 75 species distributed primarily in North America. Larvae are commonly known as tussock moths and typically exhibit gregarious behavior, forming aggregated colonies on host trees. Several species are notable for their distinctive larval coloration with tufts of hair-like setae.
Lophocampa bicolor
Lophocampa bicolor is a moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, described by Francis Walker in 1855. The species is known from Mexico and Big Bend National Park, Texas. The original description provides detailed morphological information for males, including distinctive coloration and wing patterns.
Lophocampa mixta
Speckled Tussock Moth
Lophocampa mixta is a tussock moth in the family Erebidae, described by Berthold Neumoegen in 1882. The species occurs in the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and Texas. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 37 mm. Larvae feed on Quercus emoryi (Emory oak).
Lophocampa pura
Lophocampa pura is a moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by Berthold Neumoegen in 1882. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, with documented records from Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and adjacent Mexican states. As a member of the genus Lophocampa, it belongs to a group commonly known as tussock moths, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited in published literature.
Lophocampa significans
Lophocampa significans is a moth species in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. It was described by Henry Edwards in 1888. The species is known from six U.S. states in the southwestern and central regions. Available information is limited to basic taxonomic and distributional data.
Lophocampa sobrina
Lophocampa sobrina is a moth species in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. It was first described by Stretch in 1872 based on specimens from California. The species belongs to a genus of tiger moths characterized by dense hair-like body setae and often striking color patterns. As a member of the Arctiini tribe, it is part of a diverse group of moths with aposematic coloration and chemical defenses.
Lycomorpha
black-and-yellow lichen moths
Lycomorpha is a genus of lichen moths in the family Erebidae, established by Thaddeus William Harris in 1839. The genus comprises six described species distributed primarily in North America, with some species extending into the Neotropics. Members are known for their striking black-and-yellow or black-and-orange coloration and their participation in Müllerian mimicry complexes with net-winged beetles (family Lycidae). The best-studied species, L. pholus, is exclusively diurnal and retains functional hearing despite isolation from bat predation.
Lycomorpha desertus
Lycomorpha desertus is a moth in the family Erebidae, described by Henry Edwards in 1881. It is known from the US state of Arizona. The genus Lycomorpha includes species often associated with mimicry complexes involving net-winged beetles (family Lycidae).
Lycomorpha grotei
Grote's lycomorpha moth
Lycomorpha grotei is a small moth in the family Erebidae, distributed across western North America from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific coast. Adults are active during summer months with a single annual generation. The species was described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1864.
Lycomorphodes
Lycomorphodes is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, tribe Lithosiini. It was established by Hampson in 1900 and contains approximately 21 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. The genus is classified within the subfamily Arctiinae (tiger moths and allies).
Lymire
Edwards' wasp moth (Lymire edwardsii)
Lymire is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Francis Walker in 1854. The genus contains approximately 13 described species distributed primarily in the Americas. The most well-documented species, Lymire edwardsii (Edwards' wasp moth), is known as a significant pest of Ficus trees in Florida. Most species in this genus remain poorly studied with limited biological data available.
Macrocneme
Macrocneme is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. Species in this genus are known for their mimicry of spider wasps (Pompilidae), displaying aposematic coloration and body form that resembles hymenopteran predators. This represents a defensive adaptation where moths gain protection from predators by resembling dangerous or unpalatable wasp species. The genus was established by Hübner in 1818 and contains multiple species distributed primarily in the Americas.
Manulea bicolor
Manulea bicolor is a moth species in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1864. It belongs to the tribe Lithosiini, a group commonly known as footman moths. The species is recognized as valid and accepted in taxonomic databases. Distribution records indicate presence in the United States, specifically Vermont.
Nanna
Nanna is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, described by Birket-Smith in 1965. It belongs to the tribe Lithosiini, which comprises lichen moths. The genus is distinct from the homonymous fly genus Nanna in family Scathophagidae (order Diptera), which consists of predatory dung flies. This taxon record addresses the lepidopteran genus.
Nelphe
Nelphe is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Gottlieb August Wilhelm Herrich-Schäffer in 1858. The genus is currently treated as a synonym of Eucereon by some taxonomic authorities, including GBIF and Catalogue of Life. Two species have been historically placed in this genus: Nelphe carolina (Little Carol's wasp moth) and Nelphe relegatum. The genus belongs to the tribe Arctiini within the subfamily Arctiinae.
Nelphe carolina
little Carol's wasp moth, Florida eucereon
Nelphe carolina is a moth species in the subfamily Arctiinae, first described by Henry Edwards in 1887. It is known from southern Texas, Florida, Mexico, and Cuba. Adults have a wingspan of 31–34 mm and have been recorded on wing year-round. The larvae feed on Cynanchum species. The species is also known as the Florida eucereon or little Carol's wasp moth, and is currently placed in the genus Nelphe, though it was formerly treated under Eucereon.
Neoplynes
Neoplynes is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, erected by George Hampson in 1900. It belongs to the arctiine tussock moth group within the subfamily Arctiinae and tribe Lithosiini. The genus contains two described species: Neoplynes cytheraea and Neoplynes eudora, both originally described in 1894. It is classified within the superfamily Noctuoidea.
Nyridela
Nyridela is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, established by Lucas in 1857. The genus contains at least two described species: Nyridela chalciope and Nyridela xanthocera. These moths are classified within the tiger moth group, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in the literature.
Pagara
Pagara is a monotypic moth genus in the family Erebidae, established by Francis Walker in 1856. Its sole species, Pagara simplex (the mouse-colored lichen moth), occurs across the eastern and central United States. The genus belongs to the subfamily Arctiinae (tussock moths) and tribe Lithosiini (lichen moths). Adults are small with a wingspan of approximately 23 mm. Formerly, Pagara fuscipes was included but has been reclassified.
Pagara simplex
Mouse-colored Tiger Moth, Mouse-colored Lichen Moth
Pagara simplex is a moth species in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, described by Francis Walker in 1856. Commonly known as the mouse-colored tiger moth or mouse-colored lichen moth, it occurs across much of the eastern and central United States. The species belongs to the tribe Lithosiini, a group often referred to as lichen moths due to their typical cryptic coloration.
Pareuchaetes
Pareuchaetes is a genus of arctiine tussock moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1866. The genus contains six described species distributed from the southern United States to northern Argentina. Several species have been employed as biological control agents against the invasive weed Chromolaena odorata in Africa and Asia, with varying degrees of establishment success. The genus is notable for its specialist association with Chromolaena host plants and its use in classical biological control programs.
Pareuchaetes insulata
yellow-winged pareuchaetes
Pareuchaetes insulata is a moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, first described by Francis Walker in 1855. Native to the Caribbean and southern United States, it has been introduced to South Africa as a biological control agent for the invasive weed Chromolaena odorata. The species exhibits high host specificity, with larvae feeding primarily on C. odorata. Adult moths have a wingspan of 26–38 mm and are active year-round, peaking from April to November.
Phaegopterina
Phaegopterina is a subtribe of tiger moths within the tribe Arctiini (subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae). First described by William Forsell Kirby in 1892, it was formerly classified as the tribe Phaegopterini of family Arctiidae. The subtribe contains approximately 750 species recorded in Brazil alone, with 469 species documented in the Amazon region and 254 in the Cerrado. It includes the arctiine tussock moths, a group sometimes confused with true tussock moths (Lymantriinae). Taxonomic revisions have clarified its placement, with the proposed subtribe Euchaetina ultimately synonymized under Phaegopterina.