Autumn-flight
Guides
Agrotis gladiaria
Swordsman Dart, Claybacked Cutworm
Agrotis gladiaria is a noctuid moth commonly known as the Swordsman Dart or Claybacked Cutworm. The species is distributed across eastern North America, from southeastern Canada through the eastern United States. Adults are active in autumn, with larvae feeding on a broad range of agricultural and wild plants. The larval stage functions as a cutworm, severing plant stems at or near the soil surface.
Apantesis ursina
Apantesis ursina is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, described by Schmidt in 2009. The species was originally placed in the genus Grammia but was transferred to Apantesis in a 2009 taxonomic revision that consolidated several related genera. It is endemic to a restricted range in southern California and the Channel Islands, with likely extension into Baja California. Adults fly in autumn, with peak activity from mid-September to early October.
Apodemia mormo autumnalis
Autumn Metalmark
Autumn Metalmark is a subspecies of butterfly in the family Riodinidae. It is part of the Apodemia mormo species complex, commonly known as the Mormon Metalmark. The subspecies is distinguished by its fall flight period compared to other populations. Limited observational data exists for this taxon.
Bucculatrix recognita
A small North American micromoth in the family Bucculatricidae, described by Annette Frances Braun in 1963. Adults are active from August through October. The larvae are leaf miners that feed specifically on bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa).
Catocala amatrix
Sweetheart Underwing
Catocala amatrix, commonly known as the Sweetheart Underwing, is a large moth in the family Erebidae. Adults have a wingspan of 75–95 mm. The forewings are cryptically colored in gray-brown tones that provide camouflage against tree bark when the moth is at rest. When disturbed, the moth reveals strikingly colorful hindwings—typically orange-red with black bands—that serve as a startle defense against predators. The species occurs across eastern and central North America, with adults active from August to October. Larvae feed on several species of Populus (poplars and cottonwoods) and Salix (willows).
Catocala faustina
Faustina Underwing
Catocala faustina is a western North American underwing moth in the family Erebidae. Adults are medium-sized with a wingspan of approximately 58 mm. The species exhibits the characteristic underwing morphology: cryptic, bark-patterned forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings when at rest. Adults are active in late summer and autumn, with flight records from September to October. The larvae feed exclusively on willow species (Salix).
Doryodes tenuistriga
Doryodes tenuistriga is a moth in the family Erebidae described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1918. It is known from coastal regions of Texas and Louisiana. Sexual dimorphism in size is pronounced, with females substantially larger than males.
Elachista irrorata
A small North American moth in the family Elachistidae, described by Braun in 1920. Adults have a wingspan of 8.2–11 mm and are active from March through October. The larvae are leaf miners that feed on two specific grass species: Glyceria striata and Agrostis perennans, with larval activity occurring in April and May. The species is recorded from 11 states/provinces in the eastern United States and Ontario, Canada.
Eudonia echo
A small crambid moth found in western North America from British Columbia to California. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 15 mm and are active from August to October in California. The species was described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1929 and includes two recognized subspecies.
Prorella albida
Prorella albida is a small geometrid moth in the subfamily Larentiinae, first described from North American material in 1923. It is characterized by its diminutive size, with a wingspan of approximately 14 mm. Adults have been documented during summer and autumn months in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States. The species appears to be univoltine or bivoltine based on scattered flight records.
Protorthodes orobia
Protorthodes orobia is a noctuid moth described in 1876 and currently recognized as a valid species. It is endemic to eastern Texas, with highest abundance along the Gulf Coast. The species is among the smaller members of its genus, with distinctive forewing maculation. Adults are active in autumn, with flight records limited to October.
Protorthodes perforata
Protorthodes perforata is a small noctuid moth described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1883. The species occurs across the southern United States and into central Mexico, with adults active during two distinct periods in spring and late summer through autumn. It is recognized by its pale gray forewings with contrasting dark spotting pattern.
Sympistis apis
Sympistis apis is a moth species in the family Noctuidae, described by James T. Troubridge in 2008. It is restricted to the plains of northern Texas. Adults fly in late autumn with a relatively narrow flight period from late September to early October. The species is known from limited collection records and has a small to medium wingspan for its genus.
Synalocha gutierreziae
Synalocha gutierreziae is a small tortricid moth described by Powell in 1985. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and exhibits sexual dimorphism in forewing length. Adults are active in autumn, and larvae feed on specific host plants in the genus Gutierrezia.
Tetracis montanaria
Tetracis montanaria is a recently described geometrid moth species known only from a restricted high-elevation range in southeastern Arizona. Described by Ferris in 2010, it represents one of three new species added to the genus during a major taxonomic revision that synonymized Synaxis with Tetracis. The species inhabits montane aspen-coniferous forests at elevations between 2,440 and 2,715 meters. Adults are active in early autumn, with flight records from early October and possibly late September.
Thera juniperata
Juniper Carpet
Thera juniperata, commonly known as the Juniper Carpet, is a moth species in the family Geometridae. It occurs throughout Europe and the Near East, with records also from North America. The species is considered uncommon and locally distributed, primarily due to its specialized larval dependence on juniper as a food source. Adults are active in late autumn, with the species exhibiting a single generation per year.