osmunda borer, regal fern borer
Papaipema speciosissima is a noctuid moth commonly known as the osmunda borer or regal fern borer. The species was described in 1868 and is native to North America. As a member of the genus Papaipema, it is a fern-boring moth whose larvae develop inside fern stems or rhizomes. The specific epithet 'speciosissima' (most beautiful) suggests distinctive appearance among congeners.
Water-willow Stem Borer, Decodon Stem Borer, Swamp Loosestrife Borer Moth
Papaipema sulphurata is a noctuid moth endemic to southeastern Massachusetts, including Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. The species is an obligate specialist on Decodon verticillatus (water-willow or swamp loosestrife), with larvae that tunnel into stems and feed on vascular tissue. Adults fly in autumn, with a wingspan of 32–38 mm. The species is considered rare due to its restricted range and specific host plant requirements.
Glaucous Shears, Glaucous Shears Moth
Papestra biren, commonly known as the glaucous shears, is a noctuid moth with a wingspan of 30–38 mm. The species was first described by Goeze in 1781 and exhibits notable color variation across its range, including purplish-grey, ashy-grey, and dark ruddy-grey forms. Adults are active from May to July in a single annual generation. The species has a broad Palearctic distribution and was introduced to North America in 1935, where it has since expanded southward from Newfoundland.
Common Swallowtails
Papilio is a large genus of swallowtail butterflies containing approximately 200 species, representing the sole genus in the tribe Papilionini. The genus includes some of the most recognizable butterflies worldwide, such as the Old World swallowtail (P. machaon), western tiger swallowtail (P. rutulus), and eastern tiger swallowtail (P. glaucus). Modern taxonomic revisions have consolidated numerous former genera—including Pterourus (tiger swallowtails), Heraclides (giant swallowtails), and Achillides—into Papilio, making it one of the most diverse butterfly genera. The name derives from the Latin word for butterfly.
Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio appalachiensis is a swallowtail butterfly endemic to the Appalachian Mountains of eastern North America. It originated through hybrid speciation between Papilio canadensis and Papilio glaucus, and is now recognized as a distinct species with stable populations at higher elevations. Adults are notably larger than both parental species, with wingspans of 86–115 mm. The species is univoltine, with adults emerging in May and females ovipositing during a brief spring flight period.
Alaskan Old World Swallowtail
Papilio machaon aliaska is a subspecies of the Old World Swallowtail butterfly found in Alaska. It represents a distinct population that has colonized novel host plants in the Asteraceae family in addition to its ancestral Apiaceae hosts. Studies indicate that larval fitness is highest on the ancestral host plant Cnidium cnidiifolium when reared in controlled environments without predation, though field observations suggest survival advantages on novel hosts when natural enemies are present. The subspecies demonstrates the complex ecological and evolutionary dynamics of host plant relationships in swallowtail butterflies.
Desert Black Swallowtail, Coloro Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes coloro is a subspecies of the black swallowtail butterfly found in arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is distinguished from the nominate eastern subspecies by paler yellow markings and reduced black banding on the hindwings. Adults exhibit strong territorial hilltopping behavior, with males engaging in aggressive aerial combat at summit perches to intercept females. The subspecies shares the characteristic osmeterium defense with other Papilio larvae, emitting foul-smelling compounds when disturbed.
Georgian Prominent
Paraeschra georgica, commonly known as the Georgian Prominent, is a species of moth in the family Notodontidae. It was first described by Herrich-Schäffer in 1855 under the basionym Notodonta georgica. The species belongs to the subfamily Notodontinae, a group commonly referred to as prominent moths due to their characteristic resting posture with wings folded tent-like over the body. It has been documented in the northeastern United States, particularly in Vermont.
Paraeschra tortuosa is a species of moth in the family Notodontidae, first described by Tepper in 1881. It belongs to a genus of Australian notodontid moths. The species is documented through limited observations, with 45 records on iNaturalist. As with many Australian notodontids, detailed biological information remains sparse in published literature.
Parahormius is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the subfamily Hormiinae of Braconidae. Members are known to attack pupal stages of Lyonetiidae (Lepidoptera). The genus was established by Nixon in 1940 and contains species distributed across India, the Palearctic region, and the Russian Far East.
Paralobesia monotropana is a tortricid moth described by Heinrich in 1926. The species belongs to a genus of approximately 18 described species found primarily in eastern North America. It is morphologically similar to P. cypripediana and P. marilynae. The species epithet suggests an association with Monotropa, though explicit host records were not detailed in available sources.
Paralobesia pallicircula is a species of tortricid moth in the genus Paralobesia. The genus Paralobesia includes species associated with grape and related plants, with Paralobesia viteana (grape berry moth) being a well-known agricultural pest. Very little specific information has been documented about P. pallicircula itself.
Paralobesia palliolana is a tortricid moth whose larvae were discovered injuring shoot tips on larch (Larix spp.) in Michigan. Originally described as Polychrosis palliolana by McDunnough in 1938 from flight-captured specimens without confirmed hosts, the species was later associated with larch damage through field observations. It belongs to the Olethreutinae subfamily, a group of tortricid moths that includes many species with concealed feeding habits.
Paralobesia spiraeifoliana is a species of tortricid moth described by Heinrich in 1923. It belongs to the genus Paralobesia, which includes several species associated with host plants. The species is recorded from the northeastern United States, with documented occurrences in Vermont. Like other members of the family Tortricidae, it is a small moth with characteristic wing posture at rest.
Paranthrenini is a tribe of clearwing moths (family Sesiidae) established by Niculescu in 1964. The tribe belongs to the Adixoa genera group, which includes African genera such as Fortikona, Rubukona, and Thyranthrene. Members of this tribe are characterized by wasp-mimicking morphology and diurnal activity patterns typical of sesiid moths.
Parapediasia is a genus of crambid moths established by Bleszynski in 1963. The genus comprises approximately twelve described species distributed primarily in the Americas. At least one species, Parapediasia teterrella, has been documented as invasive in East Asia. Adult emergence patterns have been studied in P. teterrella, showing seasonal progression in timing and consistent sex ratios.
Paraplatyptilia is a genus of plume moths in the family Pterophoridae. Members of this genus are characterized by their distinctive wing morphology, with wings divided into feathery plumes—a defining trait of the family. The genus contains multiple species distributed across North America and other regions.
Lousewort Plume Moth
Paraplatyptilia edwardsii is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, commonly known as the Lousewort Plume Moth. It is a small moth with a wingspan of 22–27 mm, characterized by distinctive wing fringes and reddish-brown coloration with contrasting pale markings. The species occurs in northeastern North America, including Maine, Massachusetts, and eastern Canada.
A genus of small moths in the family Gracillariidae. Species are leaf miners, with larvae feeding internally on host plant foliage. The genus includes approximately 40 described species distributed across multiple continents. Several species have become invasive pests, notably Parectopa robiniella on black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) in Europe.
Unspotted Tentiform Leafminer Moth
Parornix geminatella is a leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. Its larvae create tentiform mines on leaves of Rosaceae trees and shrubs. The species has a broad distribution across eastern North America, extending from Québec to Florida and west to Colorado and Texas.
Parornix peregrinaella is a small moth in the family Gracillariidae, described by Darlington in 1949. It has a restricted distribution in northeastern North America, with records from eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. The species is associated with sweetfern (Comptonia peregrina), on which its larvae mine leaves.
Patara n-sp-fl is an undescribed species within the genus Patara, a group of moths in the family Noctuidae (subfamily Erebidae). The 'n-sp-fl' designation indicates a provisional species name used in collections or databases prior to formal description, with 'fl' likely referring to Florida as the geographic origin of the type material. Species in this genus are generally medium-sized moths with relatively plain forewings and subtle patterning. Formal description and characterization of this entity await taxonomic revision.
Pellicia is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae, subfamily Pyrginae. The genus contains approximately 15 described species distributed across the Neotropical region. Species were described primarily between 1870 and 1953 by lepidopterists including Herrich-Schäffer, Evans, Williams & Bell, and Plötz. The genus is distinguished from related skippers by specific wing pattern and genitalic characteristics, though detailed species-level biology remains poorly documented.
Pelochrista biquadrana is a species of tortricid moth in the tribe Eucosmini. It was described by Walsingham in 1879. The genus Pelochrista contains numerous small moth species, many of which are difficult to distinguish without close examination. Available information about this specific species is limited.
Pelochrista curlewensis is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, first described by Wright in 2007. It belongs to the subfamily Olethreutinae and tribe Eucosmini. Like other members of the genus Pelochrista, it is a small moth, but specific details about its biology and distribution remain limited in published literature.
Pelochrista fiskeana is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae. It was described by Kearfott in 1905. As a member of the genus Pelochrista, it belongs to a group of small moths commonly known as tortrix moths or leafroller moths. The species has been documented through limited observations, with records in the iNaturalist database.
Pelochrista floridensis is a species of tortricid moth described by Wright in 2011. It belongs to the diverse genus Pelochrista within the subfamily Olethreutinae. The species epithet suggests a geographic association with Florida. Like other members of its genus, it is likely a small moth with larvae that feed internally on plant tissues, though specific natural history details remain poorly documented.
Pelochrista fraudabilis is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, first described by Heinrich in 1923. It belongs to the tribe Eucosmini within the subfamily Olethreutinae. Like other members of its genus, it is a small moth with limited published documentation of its biology and ecology. The species has been recorded in North America and is represented in museum collections.
Pelochrista guttulana is a species of tortricid moth first described by Blanchard in 1980. It belongs to the large genus Pelochrista within the subfamily Olethreutinae. Like other members of this genus, it is a small moth, but specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in available literature.
Pelochrista inquadrana is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae, and tribe Eucosmini. It was described by Walsingham in 1884. As a member of the genus Pelochrista, it belongs to a diverse group of small moths commonly known as eucosmin tortricids. No specific observations of this species are documented in the provided sources.
Pelochrista irroratana is a species of tortricid moth in the subfamily Olethreutinae, first described by Walsingham in 1879. It belongs to a large genus of small moths commonly known as shoot borers or fruit borers. The species is rarely encountered in collections, with only two observations recorded on iNaturalist. Like other members of its genus, it likely has a concealed lifestyle as a larva, though specific biological details remain undocumented.
Morrison's Borer Moth, Morrison's mosaic
Pelochrista morrisoni is a tortricid moth species described by Walsingham in 1884. It is found in western North America, ranging from Washington east to Michigan. The species is listed as threatened in Connecticut. It is one of at least 17,000 species of North American Lepidoptera and is attracted to blacklight, as documented in moth survey work.
Pelochrista nr-bolanderana is a tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae. The 'nr' designation indicates this is a near-relative of P. bolanderana, not a confirmed species identification. It has been documented in blacklight surveys in California. Like other Pelochrista species, it is a small moth with typical tortricid wing posture at rest.
A small tortricid moth in the genus Pelochrista, described by Kearfott in 1907. As a member of the tribe Eucosmini, it belongs to a diverse group of small moths often referred to as tortrix moths or leafroller moths. The genus Pelochrista contains numerous species that are frequently challenging to distinguish without detailed examination.
Pelochrista reversana is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, first described by Kearfott in 1907 under the name Eucosma reversana. It belongs to the genus Pelochrista, a diverse group of small moths commonly known as shoot borers or fruitworms. The species is part of the subfamily Olethreutinae and tribe Eucosmini. Specific information about its biology and ecology remains limited in published sources.
Pelochrista ridingsana is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae, and tribe Eucosmini. It was described by Robinson in 1869. The genus Pelochrista contains numerous species, many of which are associated with specific host plants. Species in this genus are typically small moths with characteristic tortricid wing patterns.
Pelochrista shastana is a small tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae. The species was described by Walsingham in 1879. Like other members of the genus Pelochrista, it belongs to the tribe Eucosmini, a group of small moths often referred to as 'bell moths' or 'tortricid leafrollers.' Very few documented observations of this species exist in public databases.
A tortricid moth described by Walsingham in 1879. Belongs to the diverse genus Pelochrista within the subfamily Olethreutinae. Records indicate this species is attracted to ultraviolet light sources, consistent with nocturnal moth behavior. The genus Pelochrista contains numerous small to medium-sized tortricid moths, many with specialized host associations.
Pelochrista subinvicta is a species of tortricid moth in the tribe Eucosmini, described by Kearfott in 1907. It belongs to a large genus of small moths commonly known as tortrix moths or leafroller moths. The species is part of the subfamily Olethreutinae, which includes many economically significant agricultural pests.
Pelochrista zomonana is a small tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae. It belongs to a large genus of tortricid moths found primarily in the Northern Hemisphere. The species was described by Kearfott in 1907. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with herbaceous plants, though specific host relationships remain poorly documented.
Amazon Queen Moth
Penthesilea difficilis, commonly known as the Amazon Queen Moth, is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae. The species was described by Felder and Rogenhofer in 1874. It belongs to the subfamily Chrysauginae, a group of pyralid moths that are primarily tropical in distribution. The genus Penthesilea is relatively small and poorly studied compared to many other pyralid genera.
Long-snouted Penthesilea Moth
A small pyralid moth with a wingspan of 13–17 mm, found across the southeastern and southwestern United States. The species exhibits dark brown to fuscous forewings with occasional reddish-brown overscaling at the basal angle. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate form and P. s. baboquivariensis, restricted to Arizona.
Peoria bipartitella is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. It was described by Ragonot in 1887. The species belongs to the genus Peoria, which contains multiple species of small moths. Limited information is available regarding its biology and ecology.
Florida Peoria Moth
Peoria floridella is a small moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Shaffer in 1968. It is endemic to peninsular Florida, where it inhabits dry sandhill and scrub ecosystems. The species has been observed in association with sand live oak (Quercus geminata), suggesting a potential host relationship. Like many Phycitinae moths, it likely has a concealed larval stage, though detailed life history information remains limited.
Gemmed Cordgrass Borer
Peoria gematella, commonly known as the Gemmed Cordgrass Borer, is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae. The species is associated with cordgrass habitats, as indicated by its common name. As a member of the genus Peoria, it belongs to a group of small moths whose larvae are typically borers in plant stems or roots.
Peoria johnstoni is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Shaffer in 1968. It belongs to the subfamily Phycitinae, a diverse group of small moths often associated with dried plant material and stored products. The genus Peoria contains multiple species distributed primarily in North America. Available records indicate this species has been documented through limited observation efforts, with 17 records reported to iNaturalist.
four-spotted peoria
Peoria tetradella is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Zeller in 1872. It belongs to the subfamily Phycitinae, a diverse group of small to medium-sized moths commonly known as knot-horn moths. The species has been documented across North America with over 600 observations recorded on iNaturalist. Its common name, "four-spotted peoria," likely refers to characteristic wing markings, though specific pattern details require confirmation from specimens.
Angulose Prominent
Peridea angulosa is a moth in the family Notodontidae, commonly known as the angulose prominent. First described by James Edward Smith in 1797, this species is widely distributed across eastern North America. Adults are active from late spring through mid-summer and are associated with oak-dominated habitats. The larvae feed exclusively on Quercus species.
Periergosinae is a subfamily of moths within the family Notodontidae, established by Kobayashi in 2016. The subfamily includes the genus Chadisra, which is distributed in the Sundaland region of Southeast Asia. Members are part of the diverse notodontid moth fauna, though specific ecological and biological traits remain poorly documented.
Perigonica is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Smith in 1890. The genus contains five described species, all named by Smith or Dyar between 1888 and 1911. These moths are found in North America, with records from the United States and Canada. The genus is part of the diverse owlet moth family, which includes many nocturnal species.