Early-spring-moth
Guides
Kocakina
Intractable quaker moth (for sole species K. fidelis)
Kocakina is a monotypic genus of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae, established in 2006 to replace the preoccupied genus name Himella. The sole species, Kocakina fidelis (intractable quaker moth), is an early-spring flying moth of eastern North American dry woodlands. The caterpillar is known as the four-lined green fruitworm and feeds primarily on oak, elm, and flowering crabapple leaves.
Orthosia alurina
Gray Quaker
Orthosia alurina, commonly known as the gray Quaker, is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae. It occurs in North America, where adults are active in early spring. The species was originally described as Taeniocampa alurina by Smith in 1902. Like other members of the genus Orthosia, it is part of the early spring moth fauna that emerges before most deciduous trees leaf out.
Orthosia arthrolita
Orthosia arthrolita is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Harvey in 1875. It belongs to a genus of early spring-flying moths, with adults typically active during the brief window before foliage fully develops. The species occurs in North America, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented compared to better-known congeners such as Orthosia hibisci.
Orthosia ferrigera
Orthosia ferrigera is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Smith in 1894. It occurs in North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10482. Like other members of the genus Orthosia, it is likely an early spring-emerging species, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Orthosia hibisci
Speckled Green Fruitworm Moth
Orthosia hibisci, commonly known as the speckled green fruitworm moth, is a Noctuidae moth species found across most of North America outside desert regions. Adults are active in early spring, with a single generation per year from late March through April. The species exhibits highly variable forewing coloration and pattern, ranging from pale buff-grey to dark red-brown. Larvae are generalist feeders on hardwood trees and shrubs.
Orthosia revicta
Subdued Quaker, rusty whitesided caterpillar
Orthosia revicta, commonly known as the Subdued Quaker, is a species of cutworm moth in the family Noctuidae. It is native to North America and has been recorded across Canada and the northern United States. Like other members of the genus Orthosia, it is an early spring-emerging species. The species was originally described by Morrison in 1876 under the basionym Taeniocampa revicta.
Orthosia segregata
Separated Quaker
Orthosia segregata, commonly known as the Separated Quaker, is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It belongs to the genus Orthosia, a group of early spring-flying moths often referred to as "quakers." The species was described by Smith in 1893 and is native to North America, with records from western Canadian provinces including Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Like other Orthosia species, it likely has a single generation per year with adults emerging in early spring.
Orthosia tenuimacula
Orthosia tenuimacula is a species of cutworm moth in the family Noctuidae, first described from North America in 1913. The species belongs to a genus of early spring-emerging moths, with adults typically active during March and April. Like other Orthosia species, it likely overwinters in the pupal stage. The specific epithet 'tenuimacula' (slender spot) refers to a marking on the forewing. Very few observations exist for this species, suggesting it may be genuinely rare, undercollected, or restricted to specific habitats.
Orthosia transparens
Orthosia transparens is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It is found in North America. The species has been assigned MONA (Moth Photographers Group) or Hodges number 10479. Like other members of the genus Orthosia, it is likely an early spring-flying species.
Paleacrita
spring cankerworm moths
Paleacrita is a genus of geometer moths (Geometridae) containing at least three described species, including the widespread spring cankerworm (Paleacrita vernata). The genus was established by Riley in 1876. Species in this genus are notable for having flightless females in at least some species, a trait that influences their dispersal biology and seasonal activity patterns.
Psaphida
Psaphida is a genus of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Francis Walker in 1865. Species in this genus are primarily North American, with most distributed across the eastern and central United States and southern Canada. One species, P. palaearctica, occurs in Shaanxi, China. The genus includes early spring-emerging species such as Roland's Sallow (P. rolandi), which has been documented to exhibit extended pupal diapause lasting up to seven years.
Psaphida resumens
Figure-eight Sallow
Psaphida resumens, commonly called the figure-eight sallow, is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae. It is an early spring-emerging species with adults active from March through May. The species is widely distributed across eastern and central North America, from southern Canada to Florida and west to Texas and Minnesota.
Psaphida thaxterianus
Thaxter's Sallow
Thaxter's Sallow is a noctuid moth found in eastern North America. The species belongs to the genus Psaphida, which includes several early spring-emerging sallow moths. Adults are attracted to ultraviolet and mercury vapor lights during night surveys. Like its congener P. rolandi, it likely exhibits univoltine life history with adult flight restricted to early spring months.