Flower-moth
Guides
Schinia obscurata
Obscure Schinia Moth, Erigeron Flower Moth
Schinia obscurata is a noctuid moth in the subfamily Heliothinae, commonly known as the obscure schinia moth or Erigeron flower moth. It is one of approximately 123 North American species in the genus Schinia, a group noted for often colorful adults that frequently rest on or near their host plant flowers. The species is distributed across central and eastern North America, with larvae that specialize on Erigeron species.
Schinia pulchripennis
Common Flower Moth
Schinia pulchripennis, commonly known as the common flower moth, is a small noctuid moth distributed across North America. The species exhibits striking sexual dimorphism in wing coloration, with males displaying magenta forewings and females showing more subdued patterns. Both larvae and adults maintain close ecological ties to their host plant, Orthocarpus purpurascens (owl's clover), with larvae feeding internally on seeds and adults often resting on blossoms where their coloration provides camouflage. The species has been well-studied for its specialized life history and reproductive behavior.
Schinia rivulosa
Ragweed Flower Moth
Schinia rivulosa, the ragweed flower moth, is a small noctuid moth found across much of North America. It is univoltine, with one generation per year, and is tightly associated with ragweed (Ambrosia) as a larval host. Adults are active from July to October and are often observed visiting flowers for nectar.
Schinia sanguinea
Bleeding Flower Moth
Schinia sanguinea, commonly known as the bleeding flower moth, is a small noctuid moth native to North America. Adults are active in autumn, primarily September through October, and are characterized by their distinctive pinkish-red forewings with darker markings. The species is notable for its specialized larval association with Liatris (blazing star) species, where caterpillars feed on developing flowers and seed heads. The moth occupies a broad geographic range across eastern and central North America, with a disjunct population in Ontario.
Schinia siren
Alluring Schinia Moth
Schinia siren, commonly known as the Alluring Schinia Moth, is a small noctuid moth native to central and southwestern North America. The species was described by Strecker in 1876 and is characterized by its relatively modest wingspan of approximately 22 mm. Larvae are specialized feeders on Verbesina encelioides, a member of the sunflower family. The moth occurs in grassland and prairie habitats across its range.
Schinia spinosae
Spinose Flower Moth
The spinose flower moth (Schinia spinosae) is a small noctuid moth native to North America. It has a wingspan of approximately 22–24 mm. The species is a specialist herbivore whose larvae feed on Polygonella species, with Polygonella articulata documented as a primary host in northern portions of its range. Adults are presumably nocturnal and attracted to light, consistent with other members of the genus Schinia.
Schinia subspinosae
Schinia subspinosae is a noctuid moth described by David F. Hardwick in 1996. The species is known from North America with records suggesting a distribution centered on or limited to Florida. As a member of the genus Schinia, it belongs to a diverse group of flower moths whose adults frequently rest on and feed from the blossoms of their larval host plants.
Schinia suetus
Schinia suetus is a noctuid moth first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873. It occurs in mountainous regions of western North America, with adults active during summer months. The species has four recognized subspecies distributed across its range. Larvae feed on Lupinus species.
Schinia suetus californica
Schinia suetus californica is a subspecies of flower moth in the family Noctuidae, endemic to California. It belongs to the genus Schinia, which contains at least 123 species in North America north of Mexico, many of which are diurnal and exhibit striking coloration that camouflages them on their host flowers. The subspecific epithet 'californica' indicates a restricted geographic distribution within the state. Like other Schinia species, it likely has a close ecological association with specific host plants for larval development.
Schinia tertia
Third Flower Moth
Schinia tertia is a small noctuid moth native to western North America. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 25 mm and are active from April to October in two generations per year. The species is notable for its specialized larval diet on flowering plants in three genera: Ericameria, Isocoma pluriflora, and Liatris.
Schinia thoreaui
Thoreau's Flower Moth
Schinia thoreaui, commonly known as Thoreau's Flower Moth, is a small noctuid moth native to North America. Adults are active during summer months and are associated with flowers of their host plants. The species was described by Grote and Robinson in 1870 and is one of approximately 123 Schinia species found in North America north of Mexico.
Schinia tobia
Schinia tobia is a small noctuid moth found in the southwestern United States. The species has a wingspan of approximately 23 mm. Larvae are known to feed on Dicoria canescens, a plant in the aster family. Like other members of the genus Schinia, adults likely visit flowers for nectar.
Schinia trifascia
Three-lined Flower Moth
Schinia trifascia, commonly known as the three-lined flower moth, is a small noctuid moth with a wingspan of 20–31 mm. Adults are active from July to October and have one generation per year. The species is notable for its close association with specific host plants in the aster family, with larvae feeding on Brickellia, Eupatorium, and Liatris.
Schinia ultima
Schinia ultima is a noctuid moth described by Strecker in 1876. It belongs to the flower moth genus Schinia, a group of approximately 123 North American species whose adults are often brightly colored and closely associated with their host plants. The species has a documented wingspan of approximately 23 mm. Like other members of the genus, adults likely rest on or near the flowers of their host plants during daylight hours.
Schinia unimacula
Rabbitbush Flower Moth
A small flower moth in the family Noctuidae with a wingspan of approximately 25 mm. Adults are active from July to October across the western United States. The species is closely associated with rabbitbrush (Ericameria) as its larval host plant.
Schinia vacciniae
Schinia vacciniae is a small noctuid moth with a wingspan of approximately 19 mm. It belongs to the genus Schinia, a diverse group of flower moths known for their often colorful appearance and specialized associations with particular host plants. The species is documented from western North America, with records from Arizona, California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
Schinia varix
Schinia varix is a small noctuid moth described in 2003, notable for its striking sexual dimorphism in forewing coloration. Males display bright yellow forewings with dark purple bands, while females have darker forewings with similar patterning. The species is restricted to a narrow range in the south-central United States. Despite being collected as early as 1944, its formal description was delayed for nearly six decades.
Schinia velaris
A small noctuid moth in the genus *Schinia*, known from the southwestern United States. The species has a wingspan of approximately 25 mm. Larvae are documented to feed on *Lepidospartum squamatum*, a shrubby composite. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with the flowers of its host plant during its adult stage.
Schinia villosa
Little Dark Gem
Schinia villosa, commonly known as the Little Dark Gem, is a small noctuid moth first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1864. It is primarily a western North American species associated with montane habitats, though its range extends eastward across the Canadian prairies. The species exhibits the typical Schinia trait of flower-visiting behavior, with adults active in mid-summer and larvae feeding on Asteraceae hosts.
Schinia zuni
Schinia zuni is a small moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by McElvare in 1950. The species is known from a limited number of records in the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and New Mexico. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 26 mm. Like other members of the genus Schinia, this species likely exhibits flower-associated behavior, though specific biological details remain poorly documented due to its rarity.
Scythris eboracensis
flower moth
Scythris eboracensis is a minute moth in the family Scythrididae, commonly known as flower moths. The species was described by Zeller in 1855 and occurs in the Canadian prairies. Adults are among the smallest Lepidoptera, with a body length of approximately 4–5 mm. They have been observed resting on and moving among the flowers of composite shrubs, particularly in dry, open habitats. The life history of this species has not been formally documented, though related species in the genus are known to have larvae that feed internally on Asteraceae.
Scythris fuscicomella
flower moth
Scythris fuscicomella is a species of flower moth in the family Scythrididae, described by Clemens in 1860. It is a microlepidopteran with adults typically measuring 4–5 mm in length. The species has been recorded from Manitoba, Canada, and is associated with composite flowers in prairie habitats. Adults are active in late summer and early fall.
Scythris immaculatella
Scythris immaculatella is a minute moth species in the family Scythrididae, first described from North America in 1875. The species belongs to a group commonly known as flower moths, characterized by their extremely small size and association with flowering plants. Records indicate a Holarctic distribution spanning North America and Eurasia. Like many scythridids, its biology remains poorly documented.
Scythris inornatella
Scythris inornatella is a microlepidopteran moth in the family Scythrididae, commonly known as flower moths. The species belongs to a poorly studied group with many undescribed taxa. Available records indicate adults are associated with composite flowers (Asteraceae). Like other Scythris species, it is presumed to have small larvae that feed internally on plant tissues, though specific life history details for this species remain undocumented.
Scythris mixaula
Scythris mixaula is a minute moth in the family Scythrididae, described by Edward Meyrick in 1916. The species is characterized by its extremely small size (approximately 4-5 mm in length) and association with flowering plants, particularly composites in the Asteraceae family. It belongs to a poorly studied group of microlepidopterans known as "flower moths," many of which remain undescribed or await taxonomic revision. The species has been documented in western North America, including Alberta, Canada.
Scythris trivinctella
banded scythris moth
Scythris trivinctella is a small North American moth in the family Scythrididae, commonly known as the banded scythris moth. It is one of the most frequently observed scythridid species, with nearly 4,000 iNaturalist records. Adults are active across a broad geographic range from New England to southern British Columbia and south to Mexico. The species was described by Zeller in 1873.