Grassland-moth
Guides
Acrolophus mortipennella
Long-horned Grass Tubeworm Moth
Acrolophus mortipennella is a small moth in the family Acrolophidae, described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1872. It belongs to a genus commonly known as "grass tube moths" due to larval behavior of spinning silken tubes at grass bases or roots. The species occurs across the southeastern and central United States, with adults active during summer months. It is attracted to ultraviolet light sources at night.
Aethes argentilimitana
Silver-bordered Aethes
Aethes argentilimitana, commonly known as the silver-bordered aethes, is a small tortricid moth native to North America. The species inhabits dry, open meadows and fields across a broad eastern and central range extending from Ontario south to Mississippi. Adults are active from spring through late summer, with multiple generations likely occurring annually. The species is relatively well-documented, with over 1,400 observations recorded.
Apamea verbascoides
boreal apamea, mullein apamea
Apamea verbascoides, commonly known as the boreal apamea or mullein apamea, is a noctuid moth native to North America. First described by Achille Guenée in 1852, this species ranges from Saskatchewan to Newfoundland and Labrador, extending south to North Carolina. Adults are active from June to September with a single annual generation.
Haimbachia albescens
Silvered Haimbachia Moth
Haimbachia albescens is a small crambid moth described by Hahn William Capps in 1965. It is known from the eastern and midwestern United States and southern Ontario, Canada. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in wingspan, with females slightly larger than males. Adults are active in early summer, and larvae feed on switchgrass (Panicum virgatum).
Hexorthodes agrotiformis
Hexorthodes agrotiformis is a species of noctuid moth described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1881. The species belongs to a small genus of moths distributed in North America. It is one of approximately 18 species in the genus Hexorthodes, which are generally associated with grassland and prairie habitats. The specific epithet "agrotiformis" references its resemblance to moths in the genus Agrotis.
Microcrambus minor
Minor Grass-veneer
Microcrambus minor is a grass-veneer moth in the family Crambidae, first described by W. T. M. Forbes in 1920. It is widely distributed across eastern and central North America, with records spanning from Canada to the southern United States. The species is currently considered a synonym of Microcrambus immunellus according to Catalogue of Life and GBIF. As a member of the subfamily Crambinae, it belongs to a group commonly known as grass-veneers or grass moths, many of which are associated with grassy habitats.
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.
Neodactria murellus
prairie sedge moth
Neodactria murellus is a North American crambid moth described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1904. It is strongly associated with tallgrass prairie ecosystems and has a broad distribution across the continent, from British Columbia and Alberta to the Great Plains and eastern deciduous forests. Adults are active during spring and summer months. The species is one of relatively few moth taxa specialized to prairie habitats.
Protoschinia nuchalis
Spotted Clover Moth
Protoschinia nuchalis, commonly known as the Spotted Clover Moth, is a noctuid moth species native to western North America. It was previously classified in the genus Schinia, but molecular and morphological studies led to its transfer to the resurrected genus Protoschinia. The species inhabits grassland and prairie ecosystems across the Great Plains and Great Basin regions.
Sideridis uscripta
uscripta dart moth
Sideridis uscripta is a species of dart moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Smith in 1891. It is a small to medium-sized noctuid moth found in the northern Great Plains of North America. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited information available on its biology and ecology. It is one of approximately 20 species in the genus Sideridis, a group of noctuine moths primarily distributed across the Holarctic region.
Sitochroa chortalis
Dimorphic Sitochroa Moth
Sitochroa chortalis, commonly known as the dimorphic sitochroa moth, is a crambid moth species described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873. The species exhibits notable sexual dimorphism in coloration and pattern. It occurs across much of North America in grassland and prairie habitats. The larval stage feeds specifically on Amaranthus retroflexus (common amaranth or pigweed).
Stereomita
Stereomita is a genus of microlepidopteran moths in the family Gelechiidae, subfamily Aristoteliinae. The genus contains at least one described species, Stereomita andropogonis, which is distributed across eastern North America. Members are characterized by small size and distinctive wing patterning.
Tehama
western lawn moth (for sole species Tehama bonifatella)
Tehama is a monotypic genus of moths in the family Crambidae, established by George D. Hulst in 1888. The genus contains a single species, Tehama bonifatella, commonly known as the western lawn moth. This small moth is distributed across northern North America, including Greenland, Canada, and the western United States, where it inhabits grassland ecosystems. The larvae feed on grasses, making it one of the few crambid moths associated with lawn and turf habitats.
Thaumatopsis pexellus
Woolly Grass-veneer, Woolly Grass-veneer Moth
Thaumatopsis pexellus is a grassland moth in the family Crambidae, commonly known as the woolly grass-veneer. It occurs across most of North America and is active during late summer. The species was described by Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1863. Multiple subspecies have been recognized, including forms restricted to Colorado, California, Alberta, and Mexico.