Defoliators
Guides
Atteva
ermine moths, ailanthus webworms
Atteva is the sole genus in the family Attevidae, a group of small to medium-sized moths within the superfamily Yponomeutoidea. The genus has a pantropical distribution with approximately 70 described species. Most species occur in tropical regions of the Americas, Asia, and Oceania, though Atteva aurea has expanded into temperate North America following the introduction of its host plant, Ailanthus altissima (Tree of Heaven). Adults are often strikingly patterned in orange, black, and white, and several species are diurnal nectar feeders rather than nocturnal.
Caripeta
brown pine looper, grey spruce looper, northern pine looper
Caripeta is a genus of geometrid moths erected by Francis Walker in 1863. The genus includes approximately 13 described species, several of which are known as loopers due to their characteristic larval locomotion. Some species are economically significant forest pests, particularly those associated with coniferous trees.
Dasychira
tussock moths
Dasychira is a genus of tussock moths in the family Erebidae, established by Jacob Hübner in 1809. The genus has a broad geographic distribution spanning Africa, Europe, North America, Madagascar, Japan, China, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Java, and Australia. Several species are economically significant as defoliating pests of cultivated plants including oil palm, tea, and black wattle, with some species capable of outbreak population dynamics. The genus is characterized by distinctive morphological features including porrect palpi with heavily haired second joints and sexually dimorphic antennae.
Diprion
conifer sawflies, pine sawflies
Diprion is a genus of conifer sawflies in the family Diprionidae, containing at least 12 described species. Species in this genus are significant defoliators of pine forests, with larvae feeding gregariously on pine needles. Outbreaks can cause substantial ecological and economic damage by defoliating thousands of forested acres. Adults are stingless wasps with a saw-like ovipositor used to insert eggs into conifer foliage. The genus includes both native and invasive species, with Diprion similis introduced to North America in 1914.
Ennominae
geometer moths
Ennominae is the largest subfamily of Geometridae, containing approximately 9,700 described species in 1,100 genera. Adults range from small to moderately large, with wingspans typically between 15 and 50 mm. The subfamily has a global distribution and includes several economically significant defoliating pest species. Larvae are characterized by having only two pairs of prolegs at the posterior end, producing the distinctive looping locomotion that gives the family its common name of inchworms or loopers.
Heterocampinae
prominent moths
Heterocampinae is a subfamily of prominent moths within the family Notodontidae. It contains at least 60 described species in North America, with additional species in other regions. The group includes economically and ecologically significant genera such as Heterocampa, Schizura, and Lochmaeus. Adults are nocturnal and larvae often exhibit distinctive defensive postures.
Hypena
Hypena is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, first described by Franz von Paula Schrank in 1802. The genus comprises over 680 species worldwide, predominantly distributed in tropical regions. Species in this genus are non-migratory and overwinter as pupae. Several species are economically significant agricultural pests, particularly the green cloverworm (Hypena scabra), which is a major defoliator of soybeans in the eastern United States. The genus also includes biological control agents such as Hypena opulenta, introduced to North America to control invasive swallow-worts.
Lasiocampidae
Lappet Moths, Eggars, Tent Caterpillars, Snout Moths
Lasiocampidae is a family of moths comprising over 2,000 species worldwide, representing approximately 5% of global moth diversity. The family is characterized by large, hairy caterpillars with distinctive skin flaps on their prolegs, and adults that are typically large-bodied with broad wings. Many species are notable for their social larval behavior, including tent caterpillars that construct communal silk nests. The family is the sole member of the superfamily Lasiocampoidea and includes several economically significant forest pests.
Lepidopteramothstent-caterpillarsforest-pestsgregarious-larvaesilken-nestsdefoliatorsbipectinate-antennaelappet-mothseggarssnout-mothsMalacosomaDendrolimusEriogasterTolypePhyllodesmasocial-caterpillarsthermoregulationpheromone-trailscocoonfolivoryconifer-pestsdeciduous-forestintegrated-pest-managementMcMorran-dietLimacodidae
slug caterpillar moths, slug moths, cup moths
Limacodidae, commonly called slug caterpillar moths or cup moths, is a family of approximately 1800 described species of moths distributed worldwide with greatest diversity in tropical regions. The family derives its common name from the distinctive larval form: caterpillars are dorsoventrally flattened and move using ventral suckers rather than prolegs, resembling slugs in appearance and locomotion. Many larvae possess urticating spines or hairs capable of delivering painful stings. The family is also called "cup moths" for the distinctive circular, calcium-hardened cocoons constructed by larvae.
Lymantriinae
Tussock Moths
Lymantriinae is a subfamily of moths within Erebidae, comprising approximately 350 genera and over 2,500 species. Members are commonly known as tussock moths, referring to the distinctive tufted appearance of their caterpillars. The subfamily has a cosmopolitan distribution absent only from Antarctica, with notable concentrations in sub-Saharan Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and South America. Many species are significant forest defoliators, including economically important pests such as the spongy moth (Lymantria dispar).
Notodontidae
Prominent Moths
Notodontidae is a family of moths comprising approximately 3,800 described species, first established by James Francis Stephens in 1829. The family is distributed globally but reaches its greatest diversity in tropical regions, particularly the New World. Adults are characterized by heavy bodies, long wings held folded across the back at rest, and predominantly dull coloration in grey or brown tones. The family name derives from Greek roots meaning 'back tooth,' referring to the tuft of hair often present on the trailing edge of the forewing. Larvae exhibit remarkable morphological diversity and possess chemical defenses uncommon in other Lepidoptera.