Diurnal-moths
Guides
Acanthopteroctetes
Acanthopteroctetes is a genus of archaic sun moths in the family Acanthopteroctetidae, the sole genus within the superfamily Acanthopteroctetoidea. This group represents one of the most basal lineages within the lepidopteran clade Coelolepida. Species are small, diurnal moths with reduced wing venation. The genus was established by Braun in 1921.
Alypiodes
forester moths
Alypiodes is a genus of noctuid moths in the subfamily Agaristinae, commonly referred to as forester moths. The genus contains five described species distributed in North America. Members are diurnal and often brightly colored, resembling butterflies in appearance. The genus was established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1883.
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.
Choreutinae
metalmark moths
Choreutinae is a subfamily of metalmark moths within the family Choreutidae, characterized by small size and often metallic coloration. The group was historically classified within various superfamilies but is now placed in its own superfamily Choreutoidea. Members exhibit distinctive wing patterns and are found across diverse geographic regions. The subfamily contains numerous species with complex taxonomic relationships that remain under study.
Dichrorampha
Dichrorampha is a genus of small tortricid moths in the subfamily Olethreutinae, comprising over 100 described species distributed across Europe, Asia, and North America. The genus includes both diurnal and crepuscular species, many associated with mountain and alpine habitats. Several species have been investigated as biological control agents for invasive weeds, including D. aeratana for oxeye daisy and D. odorata for Chromolaena odorata. The genus has been subject to recent taxonomic revision, with cryptic species discovered through integrative approaches combining morphology and molecular data.
Hemaris
clearwing moths, hummingbird moths, bee hawk-moths
Hemaris is a genus of diurnal sphinx moths in the family Sphingidae, native to the Holarctic region. Adults are small, bumblebee mimics with transparent wing patches created by shed scales, and are often mistaken for hummingbirds in flight. The genus includes 23 accepted species, with five native to North America and three to Europe. Larvae are hornworms that feed primarily on plants in the honeysuckle and teasel families.
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.
Neocaloreas
Neocaloreas is a genus of metalmark moths (family Choreutidae). These small moths are characterized by their distinctive wing patterns and diurnal or crepuscular activity. The genus was established to accommodate species previously placed in related genera, particularly those from the Neotropical region. Members of Neocaloreas are associated with forested habitats and are often observed visiting flowers or perching on vegetation.
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.
Penstemonia
Penstemonia is a genus of clearwing moths in the family Sesiidae, established by Engelhardt in 1946. The genus contains five described species distributed in North America. Species within this genus are part of the tribe Synanthedonini, which includes many wasp-mimicking moths. Adults are diurnal and are known to visit flowers.
Pericopina
pericopine tiger moths, pericopines
Pericopina is a subtribe of tiger moths within the family Erebidae, established by Francis Walker in 1869. Members are characterized by striking coloration patterns and participation in Müllerian mimicry rings, particularly involving diurnal black species with white spots or transparent wing patches. The group exhibits notable sexual dimorphism and polymorphism, with multiple distinct morphs occurring within single species. Larval host associations include Malpighiaceae and Bromeliaceae, though these appear to be partitioned among different species groups.
Petrophila
Petrophila is a genus of aquatic moths in the family Crambidae, described by Lansdown Guilding in 1830. The genus comprises approximately 30-40 species distributed primarily in North America. Larvae are fully aquatic and inhabit flowing water systems, where they graze on algae and diatoms. Adults are diurnal and typically found resting on rocks near water bodies. The genus has become a notable subject of citizen science research due to the cryptic nature of many species, which can be difficult to distinguish without detailed examination.
Schinia
flower moths
Schinia is a large genus of flower moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Heliothinae. The genus exhibits a Holarctic distribution, with the vast majority of species occurring in North America. Many species have restricted geographic ranges and specialized larval host plant relationships. Adults are typically colorful and often rest on flowers, where they may be camouflaged against the blossoms.
Scythris
flower moths
Scythris is a genus of microlepidopteran moths erected by Jacob Hübner in 1825. It is the type genus of the family Scythrididae (flower moths), though this family has been treated variously as a subfamily of Xyloryctidae or merged into Oecophoridae by different authorities. The genus contains the largest number of species in its family, with new species continuing to be described. Many species remain poorly known, with life histories determined for relatively few.
Thyrididae
Window-winged Moths, Picture-winged Leaf Moths
Thyrididae is a family of moths commonly known as window-winged or picture-winged leaf moths, distinguished by square or rectangular translucent spots on their wings. The family comprises the sole member of superfamily Thyridoidea, with over 760 described species worldwide and hundreds more awaiting description. Most species inhabit tropical and subtropical regions, with only about 12 species recorded in North America. Adults of many species are diurnal and colorful, exhibiting day-flying behavior unusual among moths.
Tinthiini
Tinthiini is a tribe of clearwing moths within the family Sesiidae, subfamily Tinthiinae. Members of this tribe are characterized by their wasp-mimicking appearance, with reduced wing scaling that creates transparent or semi-transparent wings. The tribe was established by Le Cerf in 1917 and contains multiple genera distributed across various regions. These moths are generally diurnal and exhibit Batesian mimicry of hymenopterans as a defense strategy.
Urania
Urania is a genus of day-flying moths in the family Uraniidae, established by Fabricius in 1807. The genus name derives from Greek mythology, meaning 'heavenly' or 'of heaven,' referencing the muse of astronomy. These moths are notable for their exceptionally bright, iridescent coloration that rivals or exceeds that of butterflies. The genus includes species that exhibit distinctive behaviors such as puddling along riverbanks to obtain mineral salts.
Uraniinae
uraniine moths
Uraniinae is a subfamily of moths in the family Uraniidae, containing seven genera distributed in tropical regions worldwide. The group exhibits striking ecological and morphological dichotomy: three genera (Alcides, Chrysiridia, Urania) are diurnal, brightly colored with iridescent markings, and chemically defended, while the remaining four genera (Cyphura, Lyssa, Urapteritra, Urapteroides) are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular with subdued coloration. Lyssa species are notable for their large size, with wingspans reaching 10–16 cm. The subfamily includes approximately 80 described species, with the Madagascan sunset moth (Chrysiridia rhipheus) being among the most celebrated lepidopterans for its coloration.
Zygaenidae
burnet moths, forester moths, smoky moths, leaf skeletonizer moths
Zygaenidae is a family of approximately 1,000 species of diurnal moths in the superfamily Zygaenoidea. Adults are characterized by metallic coloration, often with red or yellow spots, and clubbed antennae. Members of this family are notable for their ability to produce and sequester hydrogen cyanide as a chemical defense throughout all life stages, making them among the few insects capable of synthesizing this toxin independently of dietary sources. The family includes seven subfamilies, with Zygaeninae (burnet moths) and Procridinae (forester moths) being the most frequently encountered in temperate regions, while Chalcosiinae dominates tropical faunas.