Erebidae
Guides
Dyspyralis ocala
Dyspyralis ocala is a moth species in the family Erebidae, subfamily Hypenodinae, described by David Troubridge in 2020. The specific epithet "ocala" references the Ocala region of Florida, suggesting a geographic association with this area. As a recently described species, detailed information about its biology and ecology remains limited. It belongs to a genus of small moths whose members are typically associated with forested habitats.
Dysschema howardi
Northern Giant Flag Moth
Dysschema howardi, known as the Northern Giant Flag Moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. It was described by Edwards in 1887. The species is found in southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It belongs to a genus characterized by large, boldly patterned moths often referred to as "flag moths" due to their striking wing patterns.
Ectypia mexicana
Ectypia mexicana is a moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae (tiger moths). First described by Paul Dognin in 1911, this species has a restricted distribution in southern North America. The species was originally described under the basionym Euverna mexicana before being transferred to the genus Ectypia.
Elousa
Elousa is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Francis Walker in 1858. The genus was historically classified within Noctuidae before being reassigned to Erebidae. It contains three currently recognized species: E. albicans, E. psegmapteryx, and E. schausi. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with several former species reclassified.
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.
Ephyrodes
Ephyrodes is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Calpinae. The genus was established by Achille Guenée in 1852 and was previously classified in Noctuidae. Species occur from the southern United States through Central America and into South America, with records from the Caribbean. The genus contains seven described species.
Ephyrodes cacata
Ephyrodes cacata is a species of moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Calpinae. It was described by Achille Guenée in 1852. The species is recorded from North America, with additional distribution records from the Brazilian state of Pará. It belongs to a genus of relatively understudied moths within the diverse owlet moth family.
Epidromia
Epidromia is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Calpinae. The genus was erected by Achille Guenée in 1852 and contains approximately 11 described species. Species within this genus are distributed across the Neotropical region. The genus is characterized by its placement within the diverse Erebidae family, which encompasses a wide range of moth forms and ecological strategies.
Epitausa coppryi
Epitausa coppryi is a species of owlet moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Guenée in 1852. It belongs to the subfamily Eulepidotinae and tribe Panopodini. The species has been recorded in North America with additional presence in the Amazon region of Brazil and French Guiana. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 8581.1.
Erebinae
erebine moths
Erebinae is a large subfamily of moths in the family Erebidae, comprising approximately 10,000 species distributed across all continents except Antarctica, with highest diversity in tropical regions. The subfamily includes well-known groups such as underwing moths (Catocala) and witch moths (Thermesiini). Members range from medium-sized to exceptionally large, with the white witch moth (Thysania agrippina) holding the record for widest wingspan among all Lepidoptera. The subfamily was reinstated and redefined based on molecular phylogenetic studies, with several morphological synapomorphies now recognized.
Estigmene
Ermine Moths
Estigmene is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Jacob Hübner in 1820. Species in this genus are native to North and Central America. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, with many African and Asian species formerly included now separated into different genera. The most well-known species is Estigmene acrea, commonly called the saltmarsh caterpillar or woollybear, which is a widespread generalist herbivore and occasional agricultural pest.
Estigmene albida
Estigmene albida is a moth species in the family Erebidae, described by Richard Harper Stretch in 1874. It is a medium-sized tiger moth with a wingspan of approximately 50 mm. The species occurs in western and southwestern North America, with a range extending from Montana and South Dakota south to New Mexico and Arizona, and disjunct populations in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Guatemala.
Euaontia
Euaontia is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, established by Barnes and McDunnough in 1910. The genus contains two described species: Euaontia clarki and Euaontia semirufa. Its taxonomic placement has been revised, having previously been classified in the subfamily Acontiinae of Noctuidae. The genus is now placed within Erebidae, reflecting ongoing changes in noctuoid moth classification.
Eublemma
Eublemma is a genus of small moths in the family Erebidae, containing over 400 species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The genus was described by Jacob Hübner in 1829 and has undergone taxonomic revision, previously placed in Noctuidae or as the type genus of subfamily Eublemminae. Several species are economically significant as predators of scale insects, particularly E. amabilis, which attacks lac insects (Kerria spp.) and has been investigated as a biological control agent.
Eublemma minima
everlasting bud moth
Eublemma minima, the everlasting bud moth, is a small moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. The species has an unusually broad geographic distribution spanning Africa (Kenya, Madagascar, South Africa, Yemen) and the Americas (United States, Brazil, Argentina, Caribbean, Paraguay), suggesting either natural dispersal capabilities or human-mediated introduction to the Western Hemisphere. The specific epithet 'minima' refers to its small size relative to congeners.
Eublemma recta
Straight-lined Seed Moth
Eublemma recta is a small moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. It occurs across the southeastern United States, the Caribbean, and extends south to Argentina. The species has a wingspan of 16–19 mm. Larvae are specialized feeders on plants in the family Convolvulaceae.
Eubolina
Eubolina is a monotypic moth genus in the family Erebidae, subfamily Erebinae. It contains a single species, Eubolina impartialis, commonly known as the eubolina moth. The genus was established by Leon F. Harvey in 1875. The sole species is primarily distributed in southern Texas, United States.
Euchaetes
tussock moths, milkweed tussock moths, milkweed tiger moths
Euchaetes is a genus of arctiine tussock moths in the family Erebidae, described by Thaddeus William Harris in 1841. The genus includes species commonly known as milkweed tussock moths or milkweed tiger moths, many of which are specialized feeders on milkweed plants (Asclepiadaceae). Caterpillars of well-known species such as E. egle sequester cardiac glycosides from their host plants, making them unpalatable to predators. Adults of some species have evolved ultrasonic acoustic defenses against bat predation, representing a notable example of acoustic aposematism.
Euchaetes albicosta
Euchaetes albicosta is a moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. Described by Francis Walker in 1855, this species occurs from Texas southward through Mexico to Nicaragua. The specific epithet 'albicosta' refers to a white costal margin on the forewing. Little is known about its biology compared to the better-studied congener Euchaetes egle (milkweed tiger moth).
Euchaetes antica
Euchaetes antica is a small moth in the family Erebidae, described by Francis Walker in 1856. It is distributed across the southwestern United States and Central America, ranging from Arizona and New Mexico south through Mexico to Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in forewing length, with males measuring 13–15 mm and females 16–20 mm. Larvae feed specifically on Asclepias subverticillata, a milkweed species.
Euchaetes elegans
Elegant Pygarctia, Elegant Tussock Moth
Euchaetes elegans is a moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, first described by Richard Harper Stretch in 1874. It ranges across the southwestern United States and extends south through Mexico to Colombia. Adults are active during summer months, with flight activity recorded from July through September. The larvae feed exclusively on Asclepias species (milkweeds), sequestering cardiac glycosides for chemical defense.
Euchaetes perlevis
Euchaetes perlevis is a small moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1882. It is known from the southwestern United States. The species has a wingspan of approximately 23 mm. Very little is documented about its biology beyond basic taxonomic and distributional records.
Euchaetes zella
Euchaetes zella is a small moth in the family Erebidae, described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1903. It occurs in the southwestern United States and is one of approximately 20 species in the genus Euchaetes. The genus is notable for including the milkweed tussock moth (Euchaetes egle), whose biology has been well studied, though comparable details for E. zella remain undocumented.
Eudocima serpentifera
Eudocima serpentifera is a fruit-piercing moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Francis Walker in 1858. The species is known to occur in North America, with observations documented across the region. As a member of the genus Eudocima, it belongs to a group of moths characterized by their ability to pierce fruit skins to access juices. The MONA (Moths of North America) or Hodges number for this species is 8543.1.
Euerythra
specter moths
Euerythra is a genus of arctiine tussock moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Leon F. Harvey in 1876. The genus contains three described species, commonly known as specter moths, found in North America. These moths are characterized by distinctive wing patterns and, in at least one species, prominent red coloration on the abdomen.
Euerythra phasma
Red-tailed Specter Moth, red-tailed specter
Euerythra phasma, commonly known as the red-tailed specter moth, is a species in the family Erebidae (subfamily Arctiinae). First described by Leon F. Harvey in 1876, this moth is endemic to the south-central United States. The species is represented by over 1,100 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is relatively well-documented by citizen scientists.
Eulepidotis micca
Eulepidotis micca is a moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Herbert Druce in 1889. It occurs primarily in the Neotropics, with records from Panama, Costa Rica, and Ecuador. A North American population was documented in Texas in 2004. The species belongs to the subfamily Calpinae within the diverse Erebidae family.
Eulepidotis persimilis
Eulepidotis persimilis is a moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. It belongs to the subfamily Calpinae, a group of moths commonly known as underwings or fruit-piercing moths. The species is recorded from the Neotropical region, with documented occurrences in Brazil, Costa Rica, and Honduras. Like other members of its genus, it is likely nocturnal, though specific behavioral details remain poorly documented.
Eustrotiini
Eustrotiini moths
Eustrotiini is a tribe of moths in the subfamily Boletobiinae, family Erebidae. Members are small to medium-sized noctuoid moths with generally dull coloration. The tribe is primarily distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, with greatest diversity in the Old World tropics. Many species exhibit cryptic forewing patterns that provide camouflage against bark or leaf litter.
Forsebia cinis
Forsebia Moth
Forsebia cinis is a moth in the family Erebidae known from arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. Adults have forewings 14–16 mm in length and are active from late February through October. The larvae specialize on woody legumes, particularly Parkinsonia species.
Gabara
Gabara is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Calpinae, established by Francis Walker in 1866. The genus is distributed in North America, with documented records from the United States including Vermont. As a noctuoid moth genus, Gabara species are part of the diverse assemblage of erebid moths that exhibit varied ecological habits. The genus is recognized in major taxonomic databases including Catalogue of Life, GBIF, and NCBI Taxonomy.
Gabara gigantea
Gabara gigantea is a species of moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Calpinae. The species was described by Smith in 1905, originally placed in the genus Eucalyptra. It is known from North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented. The Hodges number for this species is 8519.
Gabara stygialis
Gabara stygialis is a moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by Smith in 1903. Originally placed in the genus Eucalyptra, it was later transferred to Gabara. The species is known from North America and has been assigned the MONA/Hodges number 8520. It belongs to the subfamily Calpinae within the superfamily Noctuoidea.
Gabara subnivosella
wet sand savannah moth, snowy gabara
Gabara subnivosella is a small moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Francis Walker in 1866. It is commonly known as the wet sand savannah moth or snowy gabara. The species has a wingspan of approximately 25 mm and is found in eastern North America.
Gardinia
Gardinia is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, and tribe Lithosiini. The genus was established by William Forsell Kirby in 1892. It contains five described species distributed in Central and South America, with the most widely known being Gardinia magnifica. The genus is part of the lichen moth group (Lithosiini), though specific ecological and biological details remain poorly documented.
Glympis
Glympis is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Calpinae. The genus was established by Francis Walker in 1859 and contains ten described species distributed across the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Species have been recorded from the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Florida, Texas, Trinidad, Venezuela, Brazil, Paraguay, Guatemala, Colombia, Suriname, and Puerto Rico.
Gnophaela discreta
Gnophaela discreta is a moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Stretch in 1875. It occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species has a wingspan of approximately 38 mm. Its larvae feed on Mertensia species.
Gondysia
Gondysia is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Erebinae, established by Berio in 1955. The genus contains four recognized species distributed in the Neotropical region. It was historically confused with the Old World genus Dysgonia; the New World species were separated as Neadysgonia by Sullivan in 2010, but this was later synonymized with the older name Gondysia. The genus includes G. consobrina, G. similis, G. smithii (all described by Guenée in 1852), and G. telma (described by Sullivan in 2010).
Gondysia consobrina
Consobrina's Darkwing, Consobrina Darkwing Moth
Gondysia consobrina is a noctuid moth of the family Erebidae, first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. The species was transferred from the genus Dysgonia to Gondysia based on morphological and molecular evidence. It occurs in the southeastern United States, where it produces multiple generations annually. The larval host plant remains unknown.
Gondysia similis
Gordonia Darkwing
Gondysia similis, commonly known as the gordonia darkwing, is a moth species in the family Erebidae. First described by Achille Guenée in 1852, this species occurs in the southeastern United States. The larvae are specialized feeders on Gordonia lasianthus (loblolly bay), a relationship that defines both its common name and ecological niche. Adults are active from spring through early autumn with multiple generations per year.
Goniapteryx
Goniapteryx is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, established by Maximilian Perty in 1833. The genus contains at least three described species distributed across the Neotropical region and southern North America. Species are recorded from Jamaica, Suriname, and a broad range from Texas to Amazonas in Brazil. The genus belongs to the subfamily Calpinae within the superfamily Noctuoidea.
Gonodonta bidens
fruit-piercing moth
Gonodonta bidens is a fruit-piercing moth in the family Erebidae, found in North America. The species is classified under the MONA/Hodges number 8542.1. Three subspecies are recognized: G. b. bidens, G. b. meridionalis (Todd, 1959), and G. b. tenebrosa (Todd, 1959). As a member of the genus Gonodonta, it belongs to a group of moths known for their specialized feeding behavior on ripe or overripe fruit.
Gonodonta incurva
fruit-piercing moth
Gonodonta incurva is a species of fruit-piercing moth in the family Erebidae. The species was first described by Sepp in 1840 under the basionym Phalaena incurva. It is found in North America, where adults are known to pierce fruit skins to feed on juices. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 8542.
Gonodonta nitidimacula
Gonodonta nitidimacula is a fruit-piercing moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Guenée in 1852. It is classified in the subfamily Calpinae, a group known for species that feed on fruit using specialized proboscises capable of piercing skin. The species has been documented in North America. Its MONA (Moth Photographers Group) number is 8542.3.
Goya n-sp
Goya n-sp is a newly described species of moth in the family Noctuidae (subfamily Erebidae). The specific epithet "n-sp" indicates this is a placeholder designation for a species not yet formally named. The genus Goya is part of the diverse moth fauna documented in taxonomic publications. No detailed biological information has been published for this particular species.
Haematomis
Haematomis is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, tribe Lithosiini. The genus was erected by Schaus in 1899 and contains three recognized species: H. mexicana, H. radians, and H. uniformis. Members of this genus are found in the Americas, with records from Mexico and Central America.
Halysidota
tussock moths
Halysidota is a genus of arctiine tussock moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Jacob Hübner in 1819. The genus contains approximately 40 described species distributed primarily in the Americas, with records from the United States through Central and South America to the Caribbean. Several species are well-known, including Halysidota tessellaris (pale tiger moth or banded tussock moth) and Halysidota harrisii (sycamore tussock moth). The genus has been subject to ongoing taxonomic revision, with new species and subspecies described as recently as 2017.
Halysidota cinctipes
Florida Tussock Moth, Gartered Halysidota
Halysidota cinctipes is a tussock moth in the family Erebidae, described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1865. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 42 mm. The species occurs across the Caribbean, southeastern and southwestern United States, and possibly extends through Central America to northern South America. Larvae feed on specific host plants including sea grape and hibiscus species.
Halysidota davisii
Davis' Tussock Moth
Halysidota davisii, commonly known as Davis' tussock moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. It was described by Henry Edwards in 1874 and is named in honor of Dr. Davis. The species has a restricted distribution in the southwestern United States. Adults are active during summer months, with larvae feeding on specific host plants.
Halysidota schausi
Schaus' tussock moth
Halysidota schausi is a tussock moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by Walter Rothschild in 1909. Adults are primarily active during autumn. The species has a broad Neotropical distribution extending from the southern United States through Central America and into northern South America, with additional insular populations in the Caribbean.