Erebidae
Guides
Virbia fragilis
Virbia fragilis is a moth species in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. It was described by Strecker in 1878 from specimens collected in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The species occupies a restricted but disjunct distribution across the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains regions of western North America, with populations documented from South Dakota, Colorado, New Mexico, Alberta, and British Columbia. It is associated with open field habitats.
Virbia laeta
joyful holomelina, Joyful Virbia Moth
Virbia laeta, commonly known as the joyful holomelina or Joyful Virbia Moth, is a small moth in the family Erebidae. It was described by Félix Édouard Guérin-Méneville in 1844. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in forewing length and shows considerable variation in adult flight period across its North American range.
Virbia marginata
Virbia marginata is a moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. It was described by Herbert Druce in 1885. The species is considered a synonym of Virbia rubicundaria in some taxonomic treatments, though this status appears unresolved across sources. Records indicate presence in parts of North America and Central America.
Zale
Zale Moths
Zale is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, established by Hübner in 1818. The genus contains numerous species of owlet moths distributed primarily in North America. Larvae of several Zale species are known hosts for parasitoid wasps, including the sphecid wasp Ammophila nigricans. The genus is taxonomically well-established but individual species-level biology remains incompletely documented for many members.
Zale aeruginosa
green-dusted zale, green-dusted zale moth
Zale aeruginosa is a moth in the family Erebidae, commonly known as the green-dusted zale. The species was first described by Guenée in 1852. It is distributed across North America, with records from the eastern United States including Vermont. The MONA or Hodges number for this species is 8694.
Zale bethunei
Bethune's Zale Moth, Bethune's zale
Zale bethunei is a moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by Smith in 1908. Commonly known as Bethune's Zale Moth, it occurs in North America. The species is assigned MONA (Moths of North America) Hodges number 8705. It belongs to the genus Zale, a group of moths whose larvae are known to serve as hosts for certain parasitoid wasps, including Ammophila nigricans.
Zale calycanthata
Double-banded Zale Moth, double-banded zale
Zale calycanthata, commonly known as the double-banded zale, is a moth species in the family Erebidae. First described by James Edward Smith in 1797, this species occurs in eastern North America. Adults exhibit a pronounced spring flight period, with peak abundance during March and April.
Zale chisosensis
Zale chisosensis is a species of moth in the family Erebidae, first described in 1982. It belongs to the genus Zale, a group of moths commonly known as zale moths. The species is found in North America. Like other members of its genus, it is a nocturnal moth whose larvae feed on woody plants.
Zale clandestina
Clandestine Zale Moth
Zale clandestina is a moth species in the family Erebidae, described by James T. Troubridge in 2020. It belongs to the genus Zale, a group of nocturnal moths commonly known as "zale moths" or "underwing moths" due to their characteristic wing patterns. The species epithet "clandestina" suggests a secretive or hidden nature, possibly reflecting its cryptic appearance or elusive habits. Like other members of the genus, it is presumed to be nocturnal and attracted to light sources.
Zale confusa
Confused Zale Moth
Zale confusa is an owlet moth in the family Erebidae, first described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1940. It is found in North America. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 8701. The caterpillars of Zale moths are known hosts of the parasitoid wasp Ammophila nigricans.
Zale curema
Black-eyed Zale Moth, Northeastern Pine Zale, Black-eyed Zale
Zale curema is a moth in the family Erebidae, first described by John Bernhard Smith in 1908. The species is strongly associated with pitch pine forests in eastern North America. It has one generation per year, with larvae feeding preferentially on young needles of pitch pine. The species is listed as endangered in Connecticut but considered globally secure.
Zale declarans
Dixie Zale Moth
Zale declarans, commonly known as the Dixie Zale Moth, is a species of owlet moth in the family Erebidae. It occurs in North America and is one of numerous Zale species that serve as host caterpillars for parasitoid wasps, particularly the sphecid wasp Ammophila nigricans. The species was originally described by Francis Walker in 1858 under the name Homoptera declarans.
Zale edusina
Goat Zale Moth
Zale edusina is a species of owlet moth in the family Erebidae, described by Harvey in 1875. It is found across North America and is one of numerous species in the diverse genus Zale. The species is assigned Hodges number 8693 in the North American moth numbering system. Like other members of its genus, it is a nocturnal moth with larvae that feed on various woody plants.
Zale fictilis
fictilis zale moth
Zale fictilis is a species of owlet moth in the family Erebidae, described by Guenée in 1852. It is found in North America and is one of many species in the diverse genus Zale. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 8687.
Zale helata
Brown-spotted Zale Moth
Zale helata, commonly known as the brown-spotted zale moth, is a noctuid moth species first described by Smith in 1908. It inhabits barrens and pine woodlands across central and eastern North America. Adults are active from May to June with a single generation per year. The species has a wingspan of 35–41 mm.
Zale insuda
Desert Peaks Zale
Zale insuda is a moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by Smith in 1908. It is known from North America, where it occurs as a host for the parasitoid wasp Ammophila nigricans. The species has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 8696, a standardized numbering system for North American Lepidoptera.
Zale lafontainei
Zale lafontainei is a moth species in the family Erebidae, described by J. Donald Lafontaine and David Troubridge in 2020. The species belongs to the genus Zale, a group of underwing and related moths within the subfamily Erebinae. Like other Zale species, it is presumed to be nocturnal with cryptically colored adults. The species was named in honor of J. Donald Lafontaine, a prominent Canadian lepidopterist who has made substantial contributions to the taxonomy of Noctuoidea.
Zale lunata
Lunate Zale, Lunate Zale Moth
Zale lunata, commonly known as the Lunate Zale, is a moth species in the family Erebidae. First described by Dru Drury in 1773, it occurs across eastern and western North America with a wingspan of 40–55 mm. The species exhibits year-round or extended flight activity depending on geographic location, with larvae feeding on various deciduous trees.
Zale metata
Washed-out and Black-eyed Zale Moths and Allies
Zale metata is a nocturnal moth in the family Erebidae, part of the diverse owlet moth group. The species belongs to a genus commonly known as the "Washed-out and Black-eyed Zale Moths and Allies." Larvae of Zale moths have been documented as hosts for the parasitoid wasp Ammophila nigricans, a large sphecid wasp that provisions its nests with caterpillars. The specific epithet "metata" was established by Smith in 1908, with the species originally described under the basionym Phaeocyma metata.
Zale minerea
colorful zale, large false looper, mahogany similar-wing
Zale minerea is a moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. It is found across North America and is known by several common names including the colorful zale, large false looper, and mahogany similar-wing. The species has two recognized subspecies: Zale minerea minerea and Zale minerea norda.
Zale obliqua
oblique zale
Zale obliqua, the oblique zale, is a noctuid moth first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. The species is associated with pine habitats in eastern North America, with larvae feeding on pitch pine in northern populations and likely other pine species in southern populations. Adults exhibit regional variation in flight timing, with activity beginning in late March in southeastern North Carolina and early summer in more northern latitudes.
Zale perculta
Okefenokee Zale Moth
Zale perculta, commonly known as the Okefenokee Zale Moth, is a species of owlet moth in the family Erebidae. It was described by Franclemont in 1964. The species is found in North America and has been assigned the MONA or Hodges number 8718. It is a member of the genus Zale, which includes numerous species of nocturnal moths.
Zale phaeocapna
Hazel Zale Moth
Zale phaeocapna is a species of owlet moth in the family Erebidae, commonly known as the Hazel Zale Moth. It is found in North America, with confirmed records from Vermont and other parts of the United States. The species was described by Franclemont in 1950 and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 8698. It belongs to the genus Zale, a group of moths whose larvae are known hosts for certain digger wasp species.
Zale rubi
Bramble Zale Moth
Zale rubi is a species of owlet moth in the family Erebidae, commonly known as the Bramble Zale Moth. The species was described by Edwards in 1881, originally placed in the genus Homoptera before transfer to Zale. It is found in North America. The MONA or Hodges number for this species is 8711.
Zale rubiata
Zale rubiata is a moth species in the family Erebidae, described by Smith in 1908. It is distributed across North America. The species belongs to the genus Zale, a group of underwing moths within the subfamily Erebinae. The MONA or Hodges number for this species is 8710.
Zale sabena
Zale sabena is a species of moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Erebinae. It was described by Schaus in 1901, originally placed in the genus Homoptera before being transferred to Zale. The species occurs in North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 8688. Like other members of genus Zale, it is a nocturnal moth with larvae that feed on woody plants.
Zale strigimacula
Little Lined Zale
Zale strigimacula, commonly known as the Little Lined Zale, is a species of moth in the family Erebidae. It belongs to the genus Zale, a group of owlet moths whose caterpillars feed on various woody plants. The species is part of the diverse North American noctuid fauna and is known to be a host for parasitoid wasps including Ammophila nigricans. The genus Zale is taxonomically complex with many similar species, making field identification challenging.
Zale strigimacula
Zale strigimacula is a species of owlet moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Guenée in 1852. It is known to occur in North America, with distribution records from the United States and Brazil (Pernambuco). The species is assigned Hodges number 8686 in the North American moth numbering system. Like other members of the genus Zale, it is nocturnal and belongs to the diverse Erebinae subfamily of underwing and related moths.
Zale termina
Zale termina is a species of owlet moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Grote in 1883. It is distributed across North America. The species belongs to the genus Zale, a group of moths commonly known as zale moths.
Zale undularis
Black Zale Moth
Zale undularis, commonly known as the black zale moth, is a medium-sized noctuid moth first described by Dru Drury in 1773. The species is characterized by its very dark brown to black coloration with distinctive undulating wing patterns. It occurs in the eastern United States and southern Ontario, where adults are active during warmer months. The caterpillars serve as prey for certain sphecid wasps, including Ammophila nigricans.
Zaleops umbrina
Shadowed Zaleops
Zaleops umbrina is a moth species in the family Erebidae, subfamily Calpinae. It occurs in North America and is one of few species in the small genus Zaleops. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. The species was originally described as Pheocyma umbrina by Grote in 1883.
Zanclognatha
Zanclognatha is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Herminiinae. Species in this genus are small to medium-sized moths with distinctive wing patterns. The genus is primarily Holarctic in distribution, with most species occurring in North America. The specific epithet "n-sp" indicates an undescribed or unidentified species within the genus.
Zanclognatha dentata
Coastal Plain Zanclognatha, Toothed Fan-foot
Zanclognatha dentata is a litter moth in the family Erebidae, described by Wagner and McCabe in 2011. It occurs across eastern North America from Ontario to northern Georgia, inhabiting diverse wetland and forest habitats. Adults fly from late June through early August, with occasional second broods in early September in the southern Appalachians. The species name refers to the toothed antemedial and medial lines on the forewing.
Zanclognatha jacchusalis bryanti
Zanclognatha jacchusalis bryanti is a subspecies of moth in the family Erebidae, described by Barnes in 1928. It belongs to a genus of litter moths known for their distinctive wing patterns and nocturnal habits. The subspecies designation indicates geographic variation within the broader species Zanclognatha jacchusalis, which occurs across eastern North America.
Zelicodes linearis
Dusty-winged Tan
Zelicodes linearis is the sole species in the monotypic moth genus Zelicodes, family Erebidae. It was first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1883 (originally as Litognatha linearis), with the genus established in 1896. The species is known from Arizona, USA, and is commonly called the Dusty-winged Tan. As a member of subfamily Calpinae, it belongs to a group of moths often associated with fruit-feeding behaviors, though specific biological details for this species remain limited.