Day-flying-moth
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Alypia mariposa
Mariposa Forester
Alypia mariposa, the Mariposa Forester, is a day-flying moth in the family Noctuidae, first described in 1868. It is endemic to California's Coast Ranges and Sierra foothills, with a distribution spanning from Kern County northward to Placer County. Adults are active in spring, flying during April through June. The species is distinguished from its congener Alypia ridingsii by wing pattern differences.
Amphion floridensis
Nessus sphinx
Amphion floridensis, commonly known as the Nessus sphinx, is a day-flying moth in the family Sphingidae. It is the sole member of the monotypic genus Amphion. The species is widespread in eastern North America and is frequently encountered due to its diurnal activity. It is easily recognized by two bright yellow bands across the abdomen.
Anania hortulata
Small Magpie
Anania hortulata, commonly known as the small magpie, is a crambid moth with a wingspan of 24–28 mm. It is found across Asia, Europe, and North America, where it is considered exotic in Canada and the United States. The species was described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 and has undergone several taxonomic revisions, having been placed in Phalaena, Eurrhypara, and Pyralis before its current classification.
Annaphila astrologa
Annaphila astrologa is a small day-flying owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1918. Unlike most noctuid moths, it is active during daylight hours and has been described as attractive in appearance. The species is associated with grassland habitats in California, where its larval host plant, whispering bells (Emmenanthe penduliflora), occurs.
Annaphila danistica
Annaphila danistica is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Grote in 1873. It is native to North America and belongs to the tribe Annaphilini within the subfamily Stiriinae. The species is part of a genus known for day-flying behavior, though specific behavioral observations for A. danistica itself are not well documented. Its MONA/Hodges number is 9850.
Annaphila diva
white annaphila
Annaphila diva is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as the white annaphila. It is found in North America and is distinguished by striking black-and-white wing coloration. The species is notable for being a day-flying moth, an uncommon trait among Noctuidae. Larvae feed on miner's lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata), a host plant relationship that has been documented. The species was first described by Grote in 1873 and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9869.
Annaphila ida
Annaphila ida is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Rindge and Smith in 1952. It is a member of the genus Annaphila, a group of primarily day-flying moths within the otherwise largely nocturnal Noctuidae. The species is found in North America, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented in available literature.
Annaphila lithosina
Annaphila lithosina is a day-flying moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Henry Edwards in 1875. It belongs to the Lithosina-casta species complex within the genus Annaphila, a group of small, attractive moths that are active during daylight hours rather than at night. The species is part of the subfamily Amphipyrinae and tribe Annaphilini. Limited published life history studies exist for this species.
Annaphila miona
Annaphila miona is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Smith in 1908. It belongs to the tribe Annaphilini within the subfamily Stiriinae. Like other members of its genus, it is likely a day-flying moth, though this specific behavior has not been explicitly documented for this species. The genus Annaphila is native to western North America and contains medium-sized, attractive moths.
Annaphila pseudoastrologa
Annaphila pseudoastrologa is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Sala in 1964. It belongs to the genus Annaphila, a group of small to medium-sized day-flying moths. The genus is endemic to western North America and includes species associated with specific host plants.
Annaphila pustulata
Annaphila pustulata is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Edwards in 1881. It belongs to the subfamily Stiriinae, a group that includes day-flying moths. The species is known from North America. Its taxonomic status has been treated as both accepted and synonym in different sources.
Caenurgina erechtea
Forage Looper, Common Grass Moth
Caenurgina erechtea, commonly known as the Forage Looper or Common Grass Moth, is a widespread moth species in the family Erebidae. First described by Pieter Cramer in 1780, it occurs across the continental United States and adjacent Canadian provinces. Adults are active from March through November, with timing varying by location. The species is frequently encountered in lawns and grassy areas, where walking through vegetation readily flushes individuals during daylight hours.
Cycnia tenera
dogbane tiger moth, delicate cycnia
Cycnia tenera, commonly known as the dogbane tiger moth or delicate cycnia, is a North American moth in the family Erebidae. Adults display white wings with buttery yellow forewing margins and a yellow body marked with black spots. The species is chemically defended, sequestering cardiac glycosides from its larval host plants. It has been extensively studied for its sophisticated anti-predator defense: emitting ultrasonic clicks that jam bat echolocation and serve as aposematic warnings. The moth occurs across much of North America and flies both day and night.
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.
Empyreuma pugione
Spotted Oleander Caterpillar Moth, Spotted Oleander Moth
Empyreuma pugione, the spotted oleander caterpillar moth, is a day-flying tiger moth native to the Caribbean region that was introduced to Florida in 1978. The adult moth exhibits striking orange and black aposematic coloration and wasp-like appearance, while the larvae feed on oleander (Nerium oleander) and other Apocynaceae. Both life stages sequester cardiac glycosides from their host plants, making them unpalatable to predators. The species is considered less destructive than its congener Syntomeida epilais due to solitary feeding habits and lower population densities.
Hemaris aethra
Diervilla Clearwing
A day-flying hawkmoth native to northern North America. Adults are bumblebee mimics with clear wings and fuzzy bodies, hovering at flowers to feed on nectar. Elevated to species status in 2018 after long being considered a subspecies of H. diffinis; the two species remain extremely difficult to distinguish visually where they co-occur.
Hemileuca burnsi
Burns' buckmoth
Hemileuca burnsi is a species of buck moth in the family Saturniidae, commonly known as Burns' buckmoth. It is native to North America. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 7737. As a member of the genus Hemileuca, it belongs to a group of day-flying moths whose caterpillars possess urticating (stinging) spines.
Hemileuca eglanterina
Sheep Moth, Common Sheep Moth
Hemileuca eglanterina, commonly known as the sheep moth or common sheep moth, is a day-flying saturniid moth native to western North America. The species exhibits remarkable geographic variation in coloration, ranging from nearly black to pink/yellow to the typical orange with black markings. Adults are short-lived and lack functional mouthparts, relying entirely on fat reserves accumulated during the larval stage. The species has been documented in coevolutionary dynamics with Argiope spiders, which appear to lure male moths using chemical mimicry of female moth sex pheromones.
Hemileuca eglanterina shastaensis
Mount Shasta Sheep Moth
Hemileuca eglanterina shastaensis is a subspecies of sheep moth in the family Saturniidae, endemic to the Mount Shasta region of northern California. As a member of the Hemileuca genus, it is a day-flying moth with reduced mouthparts that does not feed as an adult. The subspecies exhibits the characteristic orange and black coloration typical of H. eglanterina, though with geographic variation associated with its isolated mountain habitat. Like other buck moths, its larvae possess urticating spines that can deliver painful stings.
Hemileuca electra clio
A subspecies of sheep moth in the family Saturniidae. Hemileuca electra clio belongs to a genus of day-flying moths commonly known as sheep moths or buck moths, which are frequently mistaken for butterflies due to their colorful appearance. The genus Hemileuca is characterized by larvae bearing urticating (stinging) spines. As a subspecies of Hemileuca electra, it is part of a group showing significant geographic variation in coloration and pattern.
Hemileuca juno
Juno buck moth, Juno buckmoth
Hemileuca juno is a saturniid moth in the subfamily Hemileucinae, commonly known as the Juno buck moth. First described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1872, this species occurs in Central and North America. Like other members of the genus Hemileuca, it is a day-flying moth with larvae that possess urticating spines capable of delivering painful stings. The species is assigned Hodges number 7735.
Hemileuca magnifica
Magnificent Buck Moth
Hemileuca magnifica is a species of buck moth in the family Saturniidae, described by Rotger in 1948. Like other members of the genus Hemileuca, it is a day-flying moth with adults that do not feed. The species belongs to a genus known for caterpillars with urticating (stinging) spines that feed on woody plants, particularly oaks. Very little specific information has been published about this particular species compared to better-known congeners such as H. eglanterina and H. nevadensis.
Hemileuca neumoegeni
Neumoegen's Buckmoth
Hemileuca neumoegeni is a day-flying buck moth in the family Saturniidae. Adults are smaller than typical giant silkmoths and do not feed, relying on fat reserves accumulated during larval development. The species is native to North America and shares the genus with other buck moths known for urticating caterpillars that feed on oaks.
Hemileuca oliviae
Range Caterpillar, Range Caterpillar Moth
Hemileuca oliviae, the range caterpillar, is a day-flying saturniid moth native to grasslands of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species is notable for periodic population outbreaks that can cause significant damage to rangeland vegetation, impacting forage availability for livestock. Its distribution is restricted to open grassland habitats due to predation pressure from woodland rodents on eggs and pupae. The moth has been studied extensively for its ecological interactions, including host plant relationships, water physiology, and natural enemy complexes.
pestrangelandgrasslandoutbreakrodent-predationparasitoid-hostday-flying-mothSaturniidaeHemileucasouthwestern-USChihuahuaNew-Mexicolivestock-forage-competitionintegrated-pest-managementAnastatus-semiflaviduscondensed-tannin-responsewater-physiologyPeromyscus-trueipinyon-mouse-predationpopulation-cyclesMONA-number-7729Hodges-number-7729Hemileuca slosseri
Slosser's buckmoth, nit-grass moth
Hemileuca slosseri is a species of buck moth in the family Saturniidae, described in 1989 by Richard S. Peigler and Stephen E. Stone. It is found in North America, particularly in the southwestern United States including New Mexico and adjacent Oklahoma. The species is associated with oak habitats, with larvae feeding on Havard shin-oak (Quercus havardii). Like other Hemileuca species, it is diurnal and possesses urticating (stinging) spines as larvae.
Hemileuca stonei
Stone's buckmoth, pangola-grass moth
Hemileuca stonei is a day-flying buck moth in the family Saturniidae, first described by Claude Lemaire in 1993. The species occurs in Central and North America and is one of approximately 24 Hemileuca species in North America. Like other members of its genus, it likely has urticating (stinging) caterpillars that feed on specific host plants. The species is relatively poorly documented compared to some congeners.
Pseudothyris sepulchralis
Mournful Thyris Moth, Mournful Thyris
Pseudothyris sepulchralis, commonly known as the mournful thyris, is a day-flying moth in the family Thyrididae distributed throughout North America. Adults have a brief flight period lasting 2–3 weeks and are rarely observed feeding on flowers. The species exhibits distinctive black coloration with white markings. Larvae develop on Smilax species and construct unique leaf-roll cocoons for pupation and overwintering.
Triprocris smithsoniana
Triprocris smithsoniana is a species of forester moth in the family Zygaenidae, a group known for aposematic coloration and cyanide-based chemical defenses. The species was described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1861 (originally as Procris smithsonianus). It belongs to a genus of small, diurnal moths primarily distributed in North America. Like other zygaenids, adults are likely active during daylight hours. The species is rarely recorded, with few documented observations.
Tyria jacobaeae
Cinnabar moth
The cinnabar moth is a specialist herbivore native to Europe and western Asia, introduced to North America, Australia, and New Zealand for biological control of ragwort. Adults display aposematic black and red coloration advertising their chemical defense. Larvae sequester toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids from host plants, rendering them unpalatable to predators. The species has been extensively studied for its population ecology, dispersal behavior, and multitrophic chemical ecology.
Urania fulgens
urania swallowtail moth, green page moth
Urania fulgens is a day-flying moth in the family Uraniidae, notable for its iridescent green coloration and swallowtail-like wing shape. The species is highly migratory, with populations moving through Mexico, Central America, and northwestern South America. It has been recorded as a vagrant to Texas. Mass migrations have been documented, including a significant event observed in Costa Rica in 2005 with Tapantí National Park identified as a possible destination.