Birch-feeder
Guides
Acronicta vulpina
vulpina dagger moth, miller dagger moth
Acronicta vulpina is a noctuid moth found across northern and western North America. Adults fly from May to July with a wingspan of 40–47 mm. The larvae feed on several deciduous tree species including aspen, birch, balsam poplar, and willow. The species was formerly considered a subspecies of the European Acronicta leporina.
Ancylis uncella
Bridge Roller
Ancylis uncella is a small tortricid moth with a Holarctic distribution spanning the Palearctic region and North America. First described from the Vienna area in 1775, it has been recorded across Europe and was recently confirmed from China. The species is distinguished by reddish-brown forewings with grey dorsal spots and light costal lines. Larvae feed on birch and heather.
Cabera exanthemata
Common Wave, Northern Wave Moth
Cabera exanthemata, known as the Common Wave or Northern Wave Moth, is a geometrid moth species distributed across the Palearctic region and Near East, with established populations in North America. The species is well-documented with over 5,900 observations on iNaturalist. It belongs to the subfamily Ennominae within the diverse Geometridae family.
Caloptilia coroniella
Caloptilia coroniella is a small moth in the family Gracillariidae, known from eastern Canada and the northeastern and midwestern United States. The larvae are leaf miners that feed on birch species (Betula), creating distinctive blotch mines on the leaves. Adults are attracted to ultraviolet light and have been documented during summer moth surveys.
Caloptilia populetorum
clouded slender
Caloptilia populetorum is a small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae, commonly known as the clouded slender. Despite its scientific name suggesting an association with poplars, the larvae feed exclusively on birch leaves (Betula species). The species is found across most of Europe and extends into parts of Russia. Adults are active from late summer through spring, overwintering as adults.
Coleophora serratella
Cigar Casebearer Moth, Birch-Alder Casebearer
A small case-bearing moth with a wingspan of 11–14 mm. Adults are active in June and are difficult to identify without dissection and microscopic examination of genitalia. Larvae feed on birch, alder, and other woody plants, constructing portable cases from silk and plant material. The species occurs across Europe (except the Balkan Peninsula), Japan (Hokkaido), and North America.
Drepana arcuata
Arched Hooktip Moth, masked birch caterpillar
Drepana arcuata, commonly known as the arched hooktip moth, is a North American species in the hooktip moth family Drepanidae. Adults are active from mid-May through late July, with one generation per year in northern populations. The species is notable for its larvae, which produce sounds through body vibrations, drumming, scraping mouthparts, and specialized anal structures—possibly to communicate and attract other larvae to communal silk shelters.
Eugonobapta nivosaria
Snowy Geometer Moth, Snowy Geometer
Eugonobapta nivosaria, commonly known as the Snowy Geometer Moth, is a species of geometrid moth found in eastern North America. The species was first described by Guenée in 1857 and is recognized by its distinctive white or pale coloration. It is a well-documented species with over 3,600 observations recorded on iNaturalist, indicating it is relatively common and conspicuous within its range. The moth occurs in deciduous and mixed forest habitats where its larvae feed on various woody plants.
Eupithecia perfusca
Pug moth
Eupithecia perfusca is a small moth in the family Geometridae, first described by George Duryea Hulst in 1898. It is found in western North America. The species has a wingspan of approximately 21 mm. Larvae feed on Salix (willow), Alnus (alder), and Betula (birch) species. Adults have been observed visiting apple flowers, suggesting a role in nocturnal pollination.
Macaria loricaria
False Bruce spanworm, Eversmann's peacock
Macaria loricaria is a geometrid moth with pronounced sexual dimorphism: males are fully winged with a wingspan of 25–29 mm, while females are wingless. The species has a broad transcontinental distribution spanning northern Eurasia from Fennoscandia to Sakhalin, and North America from Alaska to Newfoundland and south to Colorado. Adults are active in mid-summer, with timing varying by region. The larvae feed on willow, birch, and aspen species.
Macaria notata
peacock moth
Macaria notata, the peacock moth, is a Holarctic geometrid moth with a distinctive wing pattern featuring a black spot resembling a paw print on the forewing. The species is distributed across northern Eurasia and North America, where it inhabits deciduous forests and meadows. Adults are active primarily from May to June, with two generations in central Europe. The caterpillars feed on leaves of deciduous trees including birch, oak, alder, poplar, and blackthorn.
Nites betulella
Black-dotted Birch Leaftier Moth
Nites betulella, commonly known as the black-dotted birch leaftier moth, is a small moth species in the family Depressariidae. First described by August Busck in 1902, it is distributed across North America from the northeastern United States and Canada westward to British Columbia. The species is notable for its association with birch and other deciduous trees as larval hosts.
Peridea ferruginea
Chocolate prominent, Chocolate Birch Prominent
Peridea ferruginea, the chocolate prominent, is a species of prominent moth in the family Notodontidae. It was described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1864 and occurs in North America. The species was historically confused with Peridea bordeloni, a river birch specialist that was distinguished as a separate species in 2018. The MONA/Hodges number for this species is 7921.
Rheumaptera undulata
scallop shell
Rheumaptera undulata, commonly known as the scallop shell, is a geometrid moth with a wingspan of 25–30 mm. The species is characterized by pale forewings with numerous darker, wavy, evenly spaced crosslines and a scalloped fringe on the outer margin. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 and occurs across the Palearctic realm and North America. Adults are active from late May to August in Europe, with one generation per year. The larvae feed on a diverse range of woody plants including birch, willow, Vaccinium species, aspen, and others.
Swammerdamia caesiella
Birch Ermel
Swammerdamia caesiella is a small ermine moth in the family Yponomeutidae, commonly known as the Birch Ermel. It has a broad distribution across Europe, Asia, and North America, where it may have been introduced. The species is bivoltine, with adults active in spring and late summer. Larvae specialize on birch foliage.