Trapeze Moth
Marasmia trapezalis is a widely distributed moth in the family Crambidae, first described by Guenée in 1854. The species occurs across Africa, the Pacific region, Australia, and parts of the Americas including the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Peru. It has been recorded from the Galápagos Islands and various regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The species is known by the common name "Trapeze Moth" and has accumulated over 660 citizen science observations on iNaturalist.
Beautiful Marathyssa Moth (for M. pulcherrimus)
Marathyssa is a genus of moths in the family Euteliidae, established by Francis Walker in 1865. The genus contains approximately 20 described species distributed across the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Several species occur in North America, including the type species M. basalis. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with some sources historically placing it in Noctuidae.
Margaroniini is the most species-rich tribe within the subfamily Spilomelinae (Crambidae), comprising approximately 1,116 species across 74 genera. The tribe was established in 1889 and includes numerous economically significant agricultural pests. Many species have larvae that feed on cultivated crops, causing substantial damage to legumes, cucurbits, olives, peaches, coconuts, and box trees.
Three-spotted Lemon Moth
Marimatha tripuncta is a small noctuid moth described by Heinrich Benno Möschler in 1890. It occurs in the Caribbean and southern Florida, with adults active from late April through mid-October. The species belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae, a group of generally small, often yellowish moths. The common name "Three-spotted Lemon Moth" refers to the characteristic three dark spots on the pale yellow forewings.
Marmara apocynella is a small moth in the family Gracillariidae. The species is known from the eastern and midwestern United States, with records from Ohio, Maine, and Oklahoma. Its larvae are stem miners that feed on Apocynum cannabinum (Indian hemp), creating distinctive long, whitish, serpentine mines.
Apple Barkminer
Marmara elotella, commonly known as the apple barkminer, is a microlepidopteran moth in the family Gracillariidae. The species is known from five eastern US states and is associated with apple and pear cultivation. Its larvae are specialized twig miners that feed as sap-feeders within host plant tissues.
Massala is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Calpinae. It was established by Francis Walker in 1865. Species in this genus are distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World, including parts of Africa, Asia, and Australia. The genus is part of the diverse erebid moth fauna and is characterized by features typical of calpine moths.
Matigramma rubrosuffusa is a nocturnal moth in the family Erebidae, described by Grote in 1882. It belongs to the diverse subfamily Erebinae, commonly known as the underwing and related moths. The species is known from North America, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented.
Mea is a genus of small moths in the family Meessiidae, first described by August Busck in 1906. These moths belong to the order Lepidoptera and are part of the diverse assemblage of tineoid moths. The genus has been recorded from Vermont and other locations in the United States, with 599 observations documented on iNaturalist. Mea was historically classified within Tineidae but is now placed in Meessiidae based on revised taxonomy.
Two-spotted Mea Moth
Mea bipunctella, commonly known as the Two-spotted Mea Moth, is a species of moth in the family Meessiidae (formerly placed in Tineidae). The species was first described by Dietz in 1905 under the basionym Progona bipunctella. It is a small moth with documented observations primarily from North America.
Mea skinnerella is a small moth species in the family Meessiidae, described by Dietz in 1905. It belongs to a family of moths formerly treated as part of Tineidae but now recognized as distinct. The genus Mea contains relatively obscure species with limited documented natural history. Available records indicate presence in the northeastern United States, particularly Vermont.
Mecyna is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Spilomelinae. The genus was established by Henry Doubleday in 1849 and contains approximately 35 described species distributed across Europe, Asia, and North America. Species in this genus are generally small to medium-sized moths with varied coloration including brown, yellow, and white patterns.
Mecyna sp-one is a species of moth in the family Crambidae, subfamily Spilomelinae. As a member of the genus Mecyna, it belongs to a group of small to medium-sized crambid moths. The specific epithet "sp-one" indicates this is a placeholder designation for an undescribed or informally recognized species. Records of this taxon are limited in published literature.
Megalographa is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae (owlet moths). The genus is primarily known from the Americas, with most species distributed in North and Central America. Species in this genus are generally medium-sized nocturnal moths. The genus name refers to the large size of the wing markings relative to body size.
Yellow Flannel Moth
Megalopyge pyxidifera, commonly known as the Yellow Flannel Moth, is a species of flannel moth in the family Megalopygidae. Described from the southern United States in 1797, this species belongs to a genus whose caterpillars are known for their dense, hair-like setae that conceal venomous urticating spines. The larvae of related Megalopyge species are among the most venomous caterpillars in North America, capable of delivering painful stings.
Meganola is a genus of moths in the family Nolidae, subfamily Nolinae, erected by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1898. The genus is distributed across multiple biogeographic regions including the Palearctic (Europe, Korea), Afrotropical (Ivory Coast, Zambia, Uganda), and Nearctic (Vermont, USA). It contains at least 35 species in West Africa alone, with taxonomic revisions ongoing. Some authorities consider Meganola a synonym of Roeselia.
confused meganola, Confused Meganola Moth
Meganola minuscula, commonly known as the confused meganola, is a species of nolid moth in the family Nolidae. It was first described by Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1872. The species is distributed across North America, with confirmed records from Canada (Manitoba, Saskatchewan) and the United States (Vermont). It is assigned Hodges number 8983 in the North American moth numbering system.
Coastal Plain Meganola Moth
A small moth in the family Nolidae with a wingspan of 18–24 mm. Adults are active from January through October, with peak activity between April and August. Larvae feed on Quercus (oak) species. Previously treated as a subspecies or color variant of Meganola minuscula.
Black Arches, Similar Black Noctuid, Black Arch
Melanchra assimilis is a noctuid moth native to North America. The species belongs to the cutworm or dart moth group within family Noctuidae. It is recorded from Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) and the United States (Vermont). The species is recognized by the common name 'black arches' or 'similar black noctuid' in reference to its dark wing patterning.
Melanis is a genus of butterflies in the family Riodinidae, restricted to the Neotropical realm. The genus was established by Hübner in 1819 and contains approximately 30 described species distributed across Central and South America, with highest diversity in Brazil. Species within this genus exhibit variation in wing patterns and are typically found in tropical and subtropical forest habitats.
Melemaea is a genus of geometrid moths established by George Duryea Hulst in 1896. The genus contains two recognized species: M. magdalena and M. virgata. It belongs to the subfamily Ennominae, a diverse group within the Geometridae. The genus remains poorly documented in scientific literature.
Graphic Owlets
Melipotini is a tribe of moths within the family Erebidae, commonly known as Graphic Owlets. The tribe contains multiple genera of nocturnal moths. Members are characterized by their distinctive wing patterns and coloration. The tribe has been documented extensively on iNaturalist with over 77,000 observations.
Melipotis is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, first described by Jacob Hübner in 1818. The genus contains approximately 50 recognized species distributed primarily in the Americas. Adults are nocturnal and have been observed visiting flowers, including dandelions. The genus is characterized by distinctive morphological features including modified palps and leg structures.
Cellar Melipotis Moth, Cellar Graphic
Melipotis cellaris is a moth in the family Erebidae with a broad Neotropical and southern Nearctic distribution. Adults have a wingspan of 35-37 mm and are active year-round in at least part of their range. The species has been recorded from the southern United States through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and into South America.
Melipotis florida is a moth species in the family Erebidae, subfamily Erebinae, described by Troubridge in 2020. It belongs to a genus of noctuid moths distributed primarily in the Americas. As a recently described species, detailed information about its biology and ecology remains limited. The species epithet 'florida' suggests a connection to the state of Florida, though this has not been explicitly confirmed in available sources.
checkerspots, crescents, crescentspots, fritillaries
Melitaeini is a tribe of brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae), commonly known as checkerspots, crescents, or crescentspots. The tribe comprises 20–25 genera divided among five subtribes. Members are distributed across diverse habitats including steppe and taiga forest regions. Larvae exhibit gregarious behavior and feed on specific host plants, with documented associations including Veronica incana, Scabiosa comosa, and Stemmacantha uniflora. The tribe serves as host for specialized parasitoid wasps, particularly in the genus Cotesia.
Memphis is a Neotropical genus of brush-footed butterflies in the subfamily Charaxinae, described by Jacob Hübner in 1819. The genus belongs to the family Nymphalidae and is part of the tribe Anaeini. These butterflies are found exclusively in the Neotropical region.
Meroptera is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. It was established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1882. The genus contains six described species distributed in North America, including the southwestern United States and Cuba. Species in this genus are small moths with characteristic pyralid morphology.
Metanema is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, subfamily Ennominae. The genus was erected by Achille Guenée in 1857 (published 1858) and currently contains approximately 14 described species distributed primarily in the Americas. Species within this genus are part of the diverse geometrid moth fauna, commonly known as inchworm or geometer moths due to the characteristic looping locomotion of their larvae.
Purplish Metarranthis Moth, purplish metarranthi
Metarranthis homuraria, commonly known as the Purplish Metarranthis Moth, is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae. It was originally described as Endropia homuraria by Grote & Robinson in 1868. The species is recorded across North America and is assigned Hodges number 6828 in the North American moth numbering system.
Metopleura potosi is a moth species in the family Gelechiidae, first described by Busck in 1912. It is the sole member of the monotypic genus Metopleura. The species is known from San Luis Potosí, Mexico, and has been documented in 29 iNaturalist observations. No detailed biological information has been published regarding its life history, host associations, or ecological role.
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.
Metrica kuschea is a species of moth in the family Geometridae, subfamily Ennominae. Originally described as Semiothisa kuschea by Guedet in 1939, it was later transferred to the genus Metrica. The genus Metrica is a small group within the diverse Geometridae family. Information on this species remains sparse, with minimal documented observations.
Metriochroa is a genus of leaf-mining moths in the family Gracillariidae, subfamily Oecophyllembiinae. Species are known from Asia, Africa, and possibly other regions. The genus was established by Busck in 1900. Larvae create leaf mines on host plants. Pupal morphology has been described as diagnostic for distinguishing Oecophyllembiinae from related groups.
Michaelophorus is a genus of plume moths in the family Pterophoridae. The genus contains seven described species, with Michaelophorus nubilus designated as the type species. All species are distributed in neotropical regions. Ecological details for the genus remain poorly documented.
Micrathetis new-species is a newly described moth species in the family Noctuidae, representing a recent addition to the genus Micrathetis. The genus Micrathetis belongs to the tribe Elaphriini within the subfamily Noctuinae, a group of owlet moths. As a newly described species, detailed information about its biology, distribution, and ecology remains limited pending further study.
Microcrambus is a genus of grass-veneer moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Crambinae. The genus was established by Polish lepidopterist Stanisław Błeszyński in 1963 and contains approximately 50 described species distributed primarily in the Americas. Species in this genus are small moths characterized by narrow wings and relatively simple wing patterns. Many species were originally described in other genera and later transferred to Microcrambus based on genitalic and external morphological characters.
Microgaster is a genus of braconid wasps in the subfamily Microgastrinae containing more than 100 described species with worldwide distribution. Species within this genus are koinobiont endoparasitoids of Lepidoptera larvae, with some exhibiting highly specialized behaviors. The genus includes the first documented microgastrine to dive underwater to parasitize hosts (Microgaster godzilla) and species with distinctive morphological adaptations such as modified tarsal claws. Host associations vary widely, with records from multiple lepidopteran families including Crambidae, Noctuidae, Depressariidae, and Hesperiidae.
Microhelia is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Heliothinae, established by Hampson in 1910. The genus contains at least one described species, Microhelia angelica. It belongs to the diverse noctuid moth fauna, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in scientific literature.
Sack-bearer Moths
Mimallonoidea is a superfamily of moths containing the single family Mimallonidae, commonly known as sack-bearer moths. Members are characterized by larvae that construct portable silk cases or 'sacks' in which they live and feed. The superfamily was established by Burmeister in 1878 and is classified within the order Lepidoptera.
Mimorista is a genus of snout moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Spilomelinae. The genus was established by William Warren in 1890 and contains approximately 15 described species distributed primarily in the Americas. Most species were described in the early 20th century by entomologists such as Hampson and Möschler. The genus is placed within the diverse and species-rich subfamily Spilomelinae, one of the largest groups of pyraloid moths.
Mirificarma is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, established by Gozmány in 1955. The genus contains approximately 25 described species, organized into three species-groups based on morphological similarities: the montivaga, maculatella, and interruptella groups. Species are distributed across Europe, with records from Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, Sweden) and broader European ranges. Many species were originally described under other genera and later transferred to Mirificarma.
White-based Mompha
Mompha albocapitella is a small moth in the family Momphidae, commonly known as the White-based Mompha. The species was described by Chambers in 1875 and is part of a genus characterized by narrow wings and often striking wing patterns. It is relatively well-documented on citizen science platforms with over 1,000 observations, suggesting it is moderately common and detectable. Like other Mompha species, it is likely associated with specific host plants, though detailed natural history remains incompletely documented.
Mompha cephalonthiella is a small moth species in the family Momphidae, first described by Chambers in 1871. The species was originally placed in the genus Laverna before being transferred to Mompha. Like other members of its family, it is likely associated with specific host plants, though detailed biological information remains limited in published sources.
Mompha idaei is a small moth in the family Momphidae, described by Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1839. It has a Holarctic distribution, occurring across boreal regions of North America and Europe. The species is notable for its larval association with Epilobium (willowherb) species, where larvae develop in the roots.
strawberry crown miner moth
Monochroa fragariae is a small gelechiid moth described by August Busck in 1919. The species is known from the Pacific Northwest of North America, specifically Oregon and British Columbia. Its common name derives from its association with strawberry plants, where the larvae mine the root crowns. The species is one of relatively few in the genus Monochroa with documented host plant relationships.
Monoleuca occidentalis is a species of slug caterpillar moth in the family Limacodidae, first described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1912. The species belongs to a family commonly known as slug caterpillar moths, whose larvae are characterized by their reduced, slug-like prolegs and slow, gliding locomotion. Adults are typically small to medium-sized moths. The genus Monoleuca contains several North American species, though detailed natural history information for M. occidentalis specifically remains limited in available literature.
A genus of small moths in the family Tineidae, established by Petersen in 1957. The genus has a wide distribution and contains at least eight species in Japan, including four described in a 2015 revision based on adult morphological characters. The Japanese fauna comprises M. ussuriensis, M. moriutii, M. occidentalis, M. meridianus, and four newly described species: M. breviculus, M. robinsoni, M. aquilonis, and M. yakuensis. A potential synapomorphy has been proposed for this genus, though details of larval biology and host associations remain undocumented.
Morphos and Allies
Morphini is a tribe of nymphalid butterflies within the subfamily Satyrinae, comprising two subtribes: Antirrheina and Morphina. The tribe includes the iconic genus Morpho, known for large butterflies with brilliant metallic blue dorsal wing surfaces, as well as the genera Antirrhea and Caerois. Members are primarily Neotropical in distribution. The group is characterized by substantial body size, with some Morpho species reaching wingspans of four to six inches.
Confused Woodgrain Moth, confused woodgrain
Morrisonia confusa is a noctuid moth known as the confused woodgrain, found across eastern North America. Adults are active in spring, with flight periods varying by latitude from April to June. The species is recognized by its moderate size and cryptic coloration. Larvae feed on a documented range of deciduous trees.