Erebidae
Guides
Metria bilineata
Metria bilineata is a species of owlet moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Smith in 1899. It belongs to the subfamily Erebinae and is native to North America. The species is part of the diverse noctuid moth fauna and has been recorded across a broad geographic range on the continent.
Mimophisma delunaris
Mimophisma delunaris is a moth species in the family Erebidae, originally described by Guenée in 1852 as Ophisma delunaris. The species has been recorded in North America and is represented by 447 observations on iNaturalist. Its taxonomic placement has been subject to revision, with some sources placing it in the genus Achaea rather than Mimophisma, contributing to its current 'doubtful' status in some taxonomic databases.
Mocis disseverans
Yellow Mocis Moth
Mocis disseverans, commonly known as the Yellow Mocis Moth, is a nocturnal moth in the family Erebidae. It occurs in the Caribbean and the southern United States, with documented populations in Florida, Texas, and Mississippi. The species has a wingspan of approximately 40 mm. Like other members of the genus Mocis, it is likely associated with grassland and open habitats.
Mocis latipes
Small Mocis Moth, Striped Grass Looper
Mocis latipes is a moth in the family Erebidae, commonly known as the Small Mocis Moth or Striped Grass Looper. It has a broad distribution across the Americas, from southern Canada through the United States and into Central and South America. The species is notable for its grass-feeding larval stage, which can include agricultural crops such as rice and corn.
Mocis marcida
Withered Mocis
Mocis marcida, the withered mocis, is a moth species in the family Erebidae. It occurs across the southeastern United States with multiple generations per year. The species is associated with grassland habitats where its larvae develop on grasses.
Mocis texana
Texas Mocis Moth, Texas mocis
Mocis texana, commonly known as the Texas Mocis Moth, is a species of moth in the family Erebidae. It is distributed across eastern North America, ranging from southern Ontario south to Florida and west to Texas and Minnesota. The species has a wingspan of 42–50 mm and is active as an adult from April through September. Larvae feed on Digitaria species (crabgrass).
Mycterophora inexplicata
Pale-edged Snout Moth
Mycterophora inexplicata, known as the pale-edged snout moth, is a species of erebid moth in the subfamily Calpinae. It is recorded from North America, with confirmed occurrences in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, as well as Vermont in the United States. The species was originally described by Francis Walker in 1862 under the basionym Scotosia inexplicata. It is assigned Hodges number 8413 in the North American moth numbering system.
Mycterophora longipalpata
long-palped mycterophora
Mycterophora longipalpata is a small moth species in the family Erebidae, described by Hulst in 1896. It is commonly known as the long-palped mycterophora, a name referring to its elongated labial palps. The species occurs in North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 8415. It belongs to the subfamily Calpinae, a group of moths often associated with fruit-feeding habits.
Mycterophora monticola
Mycterophora monticola is a species of moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Calpinae, described by George Duryea Hulst in 1896. The specific epithet "monticola" (mountain-dwelling) suggests an association with montane habitats. Records indicate presence in North America. The genus Mycterophora belongs to a group of moths commonly known as underwings or related forms, though detailed natural history information for this particular species appears limited in available sources.
Mycterophora rubricans
Mycterophora rubricans is a moth species in the family Erebidae, described by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1918. It belongs to the subfamily Calpinae, a group of moths commonly known as underwing or related moths. The species has been documented in North America based on occurrence records. Specific details regarding its biology and ecology remain limited in published literature.
Nanna
Nanna is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, described by Birket-Smith in 1965. It belongs to the tribe Lithosiini, which comprises lichen moths. The genus is distinct from the homonymous fly genus Nanna in family Scathophagidae (order Diptera), which consists of predatory dung flies. This taxon record addresses the lepidopteran genus.
Nelphe
Nelphe is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Gottlieb August Wilhelm Herrich-Schäffer in 1858. The genus is currently treated as a synonym of Eucereon by some taxonomic authorities, including GBIF and Catalogue of Life. Two species have been historically placed in this genus: Nelphe carolina (Little Carol's wasp moth) and Nelphe relegatum. The genus belongs to the tribe Arctiini within the subfamily Arctiinae.
Nelphe carolina
little Carol's wasp moth, Florida eucereon
Nelphe carolina is a moth species in the subfamily Arctiinae, first described by Henry Edwards in 1887. It is known from southern Texas, Florida, Mexico, and Cuba. Adults have a wingspan of 31–34 mm and have been recorded on wing year-round. The larvae feed on Cynanchum species. The species is also known as the Florida eucereon or little Carol's wasp moth, and is currently placed in the genus Nelphe, though it was formerly treated under Eucereon.
Neoplynes
Neoplynes is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, erected by George Hampson in 1900. It belongs to the arctiine tussock moth group within the subfamily Arctiinae and tribe Lithosiini. The genus contains two described species: Neoplynes cytheraea and Neoplynes eudora, both originally described in 1894. It is classified within the superfamily Noctuoidea.
Nyridela
Nyridela is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, established by Lucas in 1857. The genus contains at least two described species: Nyridela chalciope and Nyridela xanthocera. These moths are classified within the tiger moth group, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in the literature.
Ophisma
Ophisma is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Achille Guenée in 1852. The genus contains approximately 21 described species distributed primarily in tropical regions of the Americas. Many species were described in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by authors including Guenée, Walker, Schaus, and Hampson.
Ophisma tropicalis
Ophisma tropicalis is a moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. It is widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, from the southern United States to Uruguay. The species has been recorded on numerous Caribbean islands and throughout mainland South America. Larvae feed on Cupania americana, a member of the soapberry family.
Orgyia magna
Great Tussock Moth
Orgyia magna is a species of tussock moth in the family Erebidae, described by Ferguson in 1977. It is found in North America. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 8310. Like other members of the genus Orgyia, females are likely wingless, though this specific trait has not been explicitly documented for this species.
Oruza
Oruza is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Francis Walker in 1861. The genus has undergone taxonomic reclassification, previously placed in Aventiinae or Noctuidae. It is characterized by distinctive wing venation and reduced larval prolegs. The genus contains multiple species distributed across various regions.
Oruza albocostata
Oruza albocostata is a moth species in the family Erebidae, originally described as Anisodes albocostata by Herbert Druce in 1899. It occurs in North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9026. The species has been documented through 58 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is encountered with moderate frequency by naturalists.
Oxycilla malaca
Bent-lined Tan
Oxycilla malaca, commonly known as the bent-lined tan, is a small moth species in the family Erebidae. It was described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1875. The species is distributed across the southeastern and central United States, with records from ten states ranging from Texas to Pennsylvania. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 20 mm. The species is assigned Hodges number 8407 in the North American moth classification system.
Oxycilla ondo
Oxycilla ondo is a moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by Barnes in 1907. The species was originally placed in the genus Erastria before being transferred to Oxycilla. It is recorded from North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in published literature.
Oxycilla tripla
Oxycilla tripla is a species of moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Grote in 1896. It occurs in North America, though specific details about its biology, ecology, and appearance remain poorly documented in available sources. The species is assigned Hodges number 8405 in the North American moth classification system.
Pagara
Pagara is a monotypic moth genus in the family Erebidae, established by Francis Walker in 1856. Its sole species, Pagara simplex (the mouse-colored lichen moth), occurs across the eastern and central United States. The genus belongs to the subfamily Arctiinae (tussock moths) and tribe Lithosiini (lichen moths). Adults are small with a wingspan of approximately 23 mm. Formerly, Pagara fuscipes was included but has been reclassified.
Pagara simplex
Mouse-colored Tiger Moth, Mouse-colored Lichen Moth
Pagara simplex is a moth species in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, described by Francis Walker in 1856. Commonly known as the mouse-colored tiger moth or mouse-colored lichen moth, it occurs across much of the eastern and central United States. The species belongs to the tribe Lithosiini, a group often referred to as lichen moths due to their typical cryptic coloration.
Palpidia pallidior
Pale Palpidia
Palpidia pallidior, commonly known as Pale Palpidia, is a small moth in the family Erebidae. Adults are characterized by their mottled brown forewings and contrasting white hindwings, which are concealed at rest. The species occurs in Florida and Cuba.
Pangrapta
Pangrapta is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, first described by Jacob Hübner in 1818. The genus contains approximately 80 described species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Members are classified in the subfamily Pangraptinae, a group of underwing and related moths. The genus shows notable diversity in Asia, with significant representation in Borneo, Japan, China, and the Indian subcontinent.
Pangraptinae
Pangraptinae is a subfamily of moths within the family Erebidae. Phylogenetic analysis provides only weak support for its status as a clade, and the subfamily is expected to undergo significant revision with further study. The subfamily is most closely related to a clade containing Aganainae, Herminiinae (litter moths), and Arctiinae (tiger and lichen moths). The genus Pangrapta includes the most frequently encountered species in at least one well-surveyed region.
Panopoda rigida
Panopoda rigida is a species of owlet moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Smith in 1903. The species is known from North America and has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 8590. It was originally described under the basionym Siavana rigida. As a member of the Calpinae subfamily, it belongs to a diverse group of moths commonly referred to as owlet moths.
Parahypenodes
masked parahypenodes moth
Parahypenodes is a monotypic moth genus in the family Erebidae, containing the single species Parahypenodes quadralis. The genus was established by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1918. Taxonomic placement has varied, with the genus previously classified in Hypeninae within either Erebidae or Noctuidae. Some modern sources treat Parahypenodes as a synonym of Paradelta.
Parahypenodes quadralis
Masked Parahypenodes, masked parahypenodes moth
Parahypenodes quadralis is a small moth and the sole species in the monotypic genus Parahypenodes. It was described from Quebec, Canada in 1918. The species remains poorly known, with limited documentation of its biology and ecology.
Parascotia
Parascotia is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Jacob Hübner in 1825. The genus was formerly classified in the subfamily Calpinae of Noctuidae but is now placed in Boletobiinae. It contains four described species, including the waved black moth (Parascotia fuliginaria), originally described by Linnaeus in 1761.
Patara n-sp-fl
Patara n-sp-fl is an undescribed species within the genus Patara, a group of moths in the family Noctuidae (subfamily Erebidae). The 'n-sp-fl' designation indicates a provisional species name used in collections or databases prior to formal description, with 'fl' likely referring to Florida as the geographic origin of the type material. Species in this genus are generally medium-sized moths with relatively plain forewings and subtle patterning. Formal description and characterization of this entity await taxonomic revision.
Phaegopterina
Phaegopterina is a subtribe of tiger moths within the tribe Arctiini (subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae). First described by William Forsell Kirby in 1892, it was formerly classified as the tribe Phaegopterini of family Arctiidae. The subtribe contains approximately 750 species recorded in Brazil alone, with 469 species documented in the Amazon region and 254 in the Cerrado. It includes the arctiine tussock moths, a group sometimes confused with true tussock moths (Lymantriinae). Taxonomic revisions have clarified its placement, with the proposed subtribe Euchaetina ultimately synonymized under Phaegopterina.
Phalaenophana
litter moths
Phalaenophana is a genus of litter moths in the subfamily Hypeninae of the family Erebidae, established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873. The genus contains approximately ten described species distributed across the Americas, with records from North America (including Vermont) and South America (Brazil, Ecuador, Chile). The most well-known species is Phalaenophana pyramusalis, commonly called the dark-banded owlet moth. Current taxonomic databases treat Phalaenophana as a synonym of Phaeolita, though it remains widely used in identification resources.
Phalaenophana extremalis
Phalaenophana extremalis is a moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1912. It is known from a restricted range in the southwestern United States. The species has been subject to taxonomic revision, with some authorities placing it in the genus Phaeolita.
Phalaenostola larentioides
Black-banded Owlet
A small moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Grote in 1873. Adults have a wingspan of 17–24 mm and are active from May to September, with two or more generations per year. The species is widespread in eastern North America.
Phaloesia saucia
Saucy Beauty, Saucy Beauty Moth
Phaloesia saucia, commonly known as the Saucy Beauty, is a moth in the family Erebidae found from the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas through tropical regions to Venezuela. This species belongs to the tiger moth lineage within the Arctiinae subfamily. The common name references the species epithet 'saucia,' meaning 'wounded' or 'hurt' in Latin, though the origin of 'Saucy Beauty' as a vernacular name is not documented in available sources.
Phoenicoprocta lydia
Lydia tiger moth
A tiger moth in the subfamily Arctiinae, described by Herbert Druce in 1889. The species occurs in Mexico and southern Texas, with adult flight records limited to October. The genus Phoenicoprocta belongs to the diverse tiger moth group within Erebidae, though specific ecological details for this species remain sparse.
Phragmatobia lineata
Lined Ruby Tiger Moth
Phragmatobia lineata, commonly known as the lined ruby tiger moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. It was described by Newman and Donahue in 1966. The species is associated with prairie habitats and has a relatively restricted distribution in North America. Adults are active in spring, with a flight period from early to late May. The species is part of the diverse tiger moth group, which includes many species with bright warning coloration.
Phyprosopus
Phyprosopus is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Erebinae, erected by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1872. The genus contains nine described species distributed across the Caribbean, Central America, and the southern United States. Most species have been documented from Cuba, with additional records from Texas, New York, Guatemala, and Costa Rica.
Phytometra
Phytometra is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, established by Adrian Hardy Haworth in 1809. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, previously placed in the subfamily Phytometrinae within Erebidae or in Calpinae within Noctuidae. It now resides in Boletobiinae, tribe Phytometrini. The genus contains approximately 40 described species distributed across multiple continents, with notable species including Phytometra viridaria (small purple-barred) and Phytometra rhodarialis (pink-bordered yellow moth).
Phytometra obliqualis
Phytometra obliqualis is a moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by Harrison G. Dyar in 1912. The species is native to North America and is assigned Hodges number 8483 in the North American moth numbering system. It belongs to the subfamily Boletobiinae and tribe Phytometrini. The original description placed it in the genus Antarchaea, which has since been synonymized with Phytometra.
Phytometra orgiae
Lemon Yellow
Phytometra orgiae is a small moth in the family Erebidae, commonly known as the Lemon Yellow. It is found across North America and has been documented in at least 716 observations on iNaturalist. The species was first described by Grote in 1875 under the basionym Prothymia orgiae. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 8484.
Phytometra rhodarialis
Pink-bordered Yellow
Phytometra rhodarialis, commonly called the Pink-bordered Yellow, is a small erebid moth with a wingspan of approximately 20 mm. The species occurs across eastern North America from southern Ontario to Florida and Texas, with multiple generations per year in warmer regions. Larvae feed exclusively on Polygala species, particularly Polygala lutea and Polygala mariana.
Plusiodonta
Plusiodonta is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Calpinae, erected by Achille Guenée in 1852. The genus comprises approximately 40 described species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World and the Americas. Adults are characterized by distinctive wing morphology with angled outer margins and specialized scaling patterns. Larvae possess two pairs of abdominal prolegs, a trait that distinguishes them from many other moth larvae.
Plusiodonta amado
Plusiodonta amado is a moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by Barnes in 1907. It belongs to a genus of moths commonly known as fruit-piercing moths, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited. The species is recorded from North America.
Plusiodonta nr-compressipalpis
Plusiodonta nr-compressipalpis is a noctuid moth provisionally identified as near-compressipalpis, indicating morphological similarity to Plusiodonta compressipalpis without confirmed species status. The genus Plusiodonta comprises primarily tropical and subtropical moths, many with distinctive wing patterns and reduced mouthparts. This provisional designation suggests the specimen requires further taxonomic verification, possibly through genitalic dissection or DNA barcoding. Members of this genus are generally nocturnal and attracted to light.
Poaphilini
Poaphilini is a tribe of moths within the family Erebidae. Phylogenetic studies have shown this tribe to be most closely related to Ophiusini. The genera Achaea, Mimophisma, and Ophisma have been reclassified into Poaphilini based on molecular evidence, having formerly been placed in Ophiusini. The tribe contains multiple genera of nocturnal moths.
Prosoparia
Prosoparia is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Calpinae, established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1883. The genus contains approximately 17 described species distributed across the Americas, from the southern United States through Central America to South America. Formerly classified within Noctuidae, it was reassigned to Erebidae following taxonomic revisions. The genus includes both temperate and tropical species with varying ecological preferences.