Green-moth
Guides
Actias luna
Luna Moth, North American Luna Moon Moth
Actias luna, the Luna moth, is a large, lime-green saturniid moth native to North America, recognized as one of the continent's most visually striking insects. Adults possess a wingspan reaching up to 114 mm (4.5 inches), with distinctive elongated hindwing tails and prominent eyespots that may confuse predators. The species exhibits strong sexual dimorphism: males have highly feathery antennae for detecting female pheromones, while females have slender antennae and larger abdomens. Larvae feed on a variety of broadleaf trees including sweetgum, hickory, walnut, birch, and sumac. The moth is univoltine in northern portions of its range, with larvae overwintering in leaf-litter-camouflaged cocoons before emerging as adults in spring; southern populations may produce two or three broods annually.
Anaplectoides prasina
Green Arches
A medium-sized noctuid moth with distinctive green forewings marked by dark green or blackish patterning. The species exhibits notable color polymorphism, with forms ranging from pale whitish-green to dark brownish-grey. Adults are active from May to August across a broad Holarctic distribution. Larvae are broad generalist feeders on both herbaceous plants and hardwood trees.
Anemosella viridalis
Green Anemosella
Anemosella viridalis is a small snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 16 mm. The species is recognized by its greenish coloration, reflected in both its specific epithet and common name.
Chloropteryx tepperaria
Angle-winged Emerald, angle-winged emerald moth
Chloropteryx tepperaria is a small emerald moth in the family Geometridae, native to the southeastern United States. The species is distinguished by its green coloration and the angular, pointed outer margin of the hindwings. Adults are active across an extended season, with flight periods varying by latitude. The species was first described by George Duryea Hulst in 1886.
Lacinipolia viridifera
Green Owlet Moth
Lacinipolia viridifera is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1937. The species is characterized by green coloration in at least some individuals, distinguishing it from the typically gray or mottled congeners in the genus Lacinipolia. Like other members of this genus, it is nocturnal and attracted to light sources. The specific epithet 'viridifera' refers to the green coloration ('viridis' = green, 'fero' = bearing).
Nemoria
Emerald moths
Nemoria is a genus of emerald moths (Geometridae) established by Jacob Hübner in 1818. The genus comprises approximately 35 described species distributed primarily in North America. Members are characterized by green coloration and distinctive wing venation patterns. At least one species, Nemoria rubrifrontaria, has documented associations with sweet fern (Myrica aspleniifolia) as a larval host.
Nemoria bifilata planuscula
Texas White-barred Emerald
Nemoria bifilata planuscula is a subspecies of emerald moth in the family Geometridae, described by Ferguson in 1969. It is known from Texas and represents one of several geographically defined populations within the Nemoria bifilata species complex. The subspecific epithet distinguishes it from other N. bifilata populations based on subtle morphological differences. Like other members of the genus, it belongs to the emerald moth group characterized by green coloration.
Nemoria strigataria
Nemoria strigataria is a species of emerald moth in the family Geometridae, native to North America. It belongs to a genus known for bright green coloration in adults. The species was described by Grossbeck in 1910. Very little specific information has been documented about its biology and ecology.
Nemoria tuscarora
Tuscarora Emerald
Nemoria tuscarora is a species of emerald moth in the family Geometridae, described by Ferguson in 1969. As a member of the genus Nemoria, it exhibits the characteristic bright green coloration typical of this group. The species is found in North America, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in available literature.
Parasa
slug moths
Parasa is a pantropical genus of slug moths (family Limacodidae) characterized by adults with green-banded forewings and larvae possessing stinging hairs. The genus was established by Frederic Moore in 1860 and contains numerous species distributed across Asia, the Americas, and other tropical regions. Recent taxonomic revisions have clarified the identity of the type species P. chloris and used DNA barcoding to resolve relationships among morphologically similar species. The genus includes both generalist and specialist herbivores, with at least one species documented as the first conifer-feeding specialist in the family.