Perilitini is a small tribe of braconid wasps in the subfamily Microgastrinae. Members are koinobiont endoparasitoids of lepidopteran larvae, primarily associated with hosts in the family Noctuidae (owlet moths). The tribe is characterized by reduced wing venation and a compact body form. Taxonomic boundaries within Perilitini have been historically unstable, with some genera transferred to or from related tribes based on molecular phylogenetic studies.
Perimede ricina is a small moth described by Ronald W. Hodges in 1962. The species is currently classified in the family Momphidae, though it was historically placed in Cosmopterigidae. It occurs in eastern and central North America, with records spanning from Louisiana to Massachusetts. Adults are active primarily during spring through fall, with some late-season activity in November.
Periploca is a genus of small moths in the family Cosmopterigidae. The genus was established by Braun in 1919. Larvae of at least one species, Periploca ceanothiella, have been documented as hosts for the ichneumonid parasitoid wasp Calliephialtes grapholithae.
Perizoma grandis is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae, first described by George Duryea Hulst in 1896. It is found in North America and has been assigned the MONA (Moths of North America) or Hodges number 7317. The species was originally described under the basionym Eucymatoge grandis before being transferred to the genus Perizoma. It belongs to the subfamily Larentiinae, a diverse group of carpet moths.
Pero inviolata is a species of geometrid moth described by Hulst in 1898. It belongs to the genus Pero, a group of moths commonly known as peros or geometrid moths. The species is distributed in North America and is cataloged with Hodges number 6750. Information on its biology and ecology is limited.
Pero pima is a species of geometrid moth described by Poole in 1987. It belongs to the family Geometridae, a large and diverse group commonly known as geometer moths or inchworms. The species is recorded from North America. It has been assigned MONA (Moths of North America) or Hodges number 6762.1.
Pero washakiensis is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae, described by Ferris in 2003. It belongs to the genus Pero, a diverse group of moths commonly known as peros or geometrids. The species epithet 'washakiensis' suggests a geographic association, likely referring to the Washakie area or region. As a member of the subfamily Ennominae, it shares characteristics with other inchworm moths that have reduced wing venation and larvae with reduced prolegs.
Long-winged Petrophila
Petrophila longipennis is a moth species in the family Crambidae, subfamily Acentropinae. It was described by George Hampson in 1906 based on specimens from Mexico. The species is known from only a handful of observations, with limited biological information available. Like other members of Petrophila, it is likely associated with aquatic or riparian habitats, though this has not been directly documented for this species.
Pexicopiini is a tribe of small moths within the subfamily Anomologinae of the family Gelechiidae, established by Hodges in 1986. The tribe is characterized by specific morphological features of the male genitalia, particularly musculature patterns that distinguish constituent genera. Recent taxonomic work has clarified relationships within the tribe, including the establishment of new genera based on functional morphology of genital structures. The tribe includes genera distributed primarily in the Palearctic region.
Phaegopterina is a subtribe of tiger moths within the tribe Arctiini (subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae). First described by William Forsell Kirby in 1892, it was formerly classified as the tribe Phaegopterini of family Arctiidae. The subtribe contains approximately 750 species recorded in Brazil alone, with 469 species documented in the Amazon region and 254 in the Cerrado. It includes the arctiine tussock moths, a group sometimes confused with true tussock moths (Lymantriinae). Taxonomic revisions have clarified its placement, with the proposed subtribe Euchaetina ultimately synonymized under Phaegopterina.
Phaeostrymon is a genus of hairstreak butterflies (Lycaenidae: Theclinae) established by Clench in 1961. It belongs to the tribe Eumaeini, one of the most diverse groups within the subfamily. The genus contains species distributed in the Neotropical region. Members exhibit the characteristic tail-like hindwing projections typical of hairstreaks.
Phalacropsis is a genus of moths in the family Drepanidae, established by Swinhoe in 1895. It is currently treated as a synonym of Liocrops. The genus belongs to the subfamily Drepaninae, commonly known as hook-tip moths, characterized by distinctive wing shapes.
Phalerinae is a subfamily of moths within the family Notodontidae (prominent moths), established by Butler in 1886. The subfamily includes the genus Antheua, which comprises 44 valid species distributed across the Afrotropical region. Recent taxonomic revision has significantly clarified the diversity of this group, describing 19 new species in Antheua and reinstating the genus Parazana from synonymy. Phalerinae is distinguished by morphological features of adults and genitalia that separate it from other notodontid subfamilies.
Saucy Beauty, Saucy Beauty Moth
Phaloesia saucia, commonly known as the Saucy Beauty, is a moth in the family Erebidae found from the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas through tropical regions to Venezuela. This species belongs to the tiger moth lineage within the Arctiinae subfamily. The common name references the species epithet 'saucia,' meaning 'wounded' or 'hurt' in Latin, though the origin of 'Saucy Beauty' as a vernacular name is not documented in available sources.
Phereoeca praecox is a species of moth in the family Tineidae, first described by Gozmány & Vári in 1973. Records indicate presence in West Africa (Ghana, Gambia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone) and at least two confirmed records in South Carolina, USA. The species belongs to a genus whose members are commonly known as clothes moths or related tineids, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
Phidotricha erigens is a pyralid moth first documented as a coffee pest in Amazonian Robusta plantations in Rondônia, Brazil, representing the first world record of this species attacking Coffea. The larvae, known as rosette caterpillars, damage reproductive structures including flower buds, flowers, and developing fruits. The species predominates over co-occurring Cryptoblabes gnidiella in some areas and has been associated with sudden population outbreaks causing economic losses in coffee farming.
Slosson's Scoopwing Moth
Philagraula slossoniae, commonly known as Slosson's Scoopwing Moth, is a small moth in the family Uraniidae, subfamily Epipleminae. The species was described by George D. Hulst in 1896 and is native to North America. It belongs to a group of moths characterized by distinctive wing modifications. The specific epithet honors a person with the surname Slosson, likely an entomologist or collector of the era.
Philodema is a genus of moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae, established by Heinrich in 1956. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with minimal information available about its constituent species. Records indicate at least one species, Brachmia philodema (described from Yunnan, China by Meyrick in 1938), was later placed in this genus, though taxonomic placement remains uncertain. The genus belongs to a diverse group of small moths commonly known as snout moths.
Phobus incertus is a species of pyralid moth in the subfamily Phycitinae, described by Heinrich in 1956. The genus Phobus belongs to the diverse snout moth family Pyralidae, a group characterized by their labial palps that project forward like a snout. Beyond its taxonomic placement and original description, specific biological information for this species remains undocumented in available literature.
Phoenicophanta bicolor is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1916. It is known from North America and has been assigned the MONA/Hodges number 9028. The genus Phoenicophanta is placed in the subfamily Acontiinae.
Lydia tiger moth
A tiger moth in the subfamily Arctiinae, described by Herbert Druce in 1889. The species occurs in Mexico and southern Texas, with adult flight records limited to October. The genus Phoenicoprocta belongs to the diverse tiger moth group within Erebidae, though specific ecological details for this species remain sparse.
sootywing
Pholisora is a genus of skippers (family Hesperiidae) established by Scudder in 1872. The genus contains at least two recognized species: the common sootywing (Pholisora catullus) and Pholisora mejicanus. Members are small, dark-colored butterflies often associated with disturbed habitats and weedy vegetation. The common sootywing has been documented in long-term butterfly monitoring studies, with populations showing significant decline in parts of its range.
Spotted Phosphila Moth, spotted phosphila
Phosphila miselioides, commonly known as the spotted phosphila, is a noctuid moth species described by Achille Guenée in 1852. It is a member of the cutworm or dart moth group within family Noctuidae. The species is documented across North America with substantial observational records.
many-lined cordgrass moth, many-lined photedes
Photedes enervata is a noctuid moth occurring in Atlantic coastal marshes of North America. The species was transferred from Hypocoena to Photedes based on morphological and genetic evidence. Larvae are specialist feeders on Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass), tying them to salt marsh ecosystems. Adults are rarely encountered away from coastal wetland habitats.
spartina borer moth
Photedes inops is a noctuid moth native to North America, commonly known as the spartina borer moth. Its larvae feed on Spartina pectinata, with host plant association appearing exclusive. The species holds conservation status as a species of special concern in Connecticut.
Phryganeopsis brunnea is a species of moth in the family Tineidae, the sole member of its monotypic genus. It is endemic to California. The species was described by Walsingham in 1881. Very little is known about its biology or ecology beyond its taxonomic placement and geographic occurrence.
Phtheochroa is a large genus of tortrix moths in the family Tortricidae, tribe Cochylini, subfamily Tortricinae. The genus was established by Stephens in 1829 and contains numerous species distributed across the Holarctic region, with records from Europe, North America, and other regions. Species-level identification often requires examination of genitalia, particularly in males where intraspecific variation in vesica structure has been documented.
Phtheochroa is a genus of tortricid moths in the tribe Cochylini. Species in this genus are generally small to medium-sized with relatively plain forewing patterns. The genus occurs primarily in the Holarctic region, with most species described from the Palearctic. Larval stages are associated with various herbaceous plants and shrubs.
Phyciodes incognitus is a species of brush-footed butterfly in the genus Phyciodes, which includes the crescent butterflies. The genus Phyciodes comprises small to medium-sized butterflies characterized by orange and black wing patterns with distinctive crescent-shaped markings on the hindwings. Species within this genus are primarily North American and are associated with asteraceous host plants.
Knot-horn Moths
Phycitinae is a subfamily of snout moths (Pyralidae) representing the most diverse lineage within its family, encompassing over 600 genera and more than 4,000 species—more than three-quarters of living snout moth diversity. Together with Epipaschiinae, they form the most advanced lineage of snout moths. Adults are typically small, slender-bodied moths with well-developed proboscises and often elongated labial palps forming a 'snout.' The subfamily exhibits remarkable ecological diversity, with larvae occupying roles as leaf rollers, seed feeders, gall inquilines, aquatic predators, and agricultural pests.
Phyllodesma americana arizonensis is a subspecies of lappet moth in the family Lasiocampidae. As a subspecies of Phyllodesma americana, it represents a southwestern population differentiated from the nominate form, though specific distinguishing characteristics are not well documented in available sources. The species belongs to a genus of moths whose larvae feed on various woody plants.
Phyllodesma occidentis is a lappet moth species in the family Lasiocampidae, first described by Walker in 1855. The species belongs to a genus of moths whose larvae typically feed on woody plants. As a member of the Lasiocampidae, it shares characteristics with other tent caterpillars and lappet moths, including hairy bodies and larvae that often feed gregariously. The specific biology and ecology of this species remain poorly documented in available literature.
A small moth in the family Gracillariidae, known from the northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. First described by Chambers in 1871 under the basionym Lithocolletis clemensella. Like other members of Phyllonorycter, the larvae are leaf miners, though specific host plant associations for this species remain undocumented.
Phyllonorycter manzanita is a leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. The species is endemic to California and was described by Braun in 1925. Larvae create characteristic mines in the leaves of manzanita species (Arctostaphylos), with documented hosts including Arctostaphylos glauca and Arctostaphylos manzanita.
A micro-moth in the family Gracillariidae with a wingspan of approximately 6.5 mm. The species is known from the northeastern and midwestern United States. Larvae are leaf miners that feed on pecan (Carya illinoinensis).
London Midget, plane leaf miner
Phyllonorycter platani is a small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae, commonly known as the London Midget or plane leaf miner. The species is notable for its association with Platanus (plane trees) as its larval host, creating distinctive blotch mines on leaves. It has been introduced to North America and is considered an invasive species in some regions. The moth has a wingspan of 8–10 mm and produces two generations annually in parts of its range.
aspen blotch miner
Phyllonorycter salicifoliella is a North American micro-moth in the family Gracillariidae, commonly known as the aspen blotch miner. Adults are small with forewings 3–4 mm in length. The species is notable for its larval leaf-mining behavior on willows and poplars, with larvae feeding internally within leaf tissue. It exhibits two generations per year in most of its range, with adult activity peaking in summer and again in late summer through autumn.
Phytometra is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, established by Adrian Hardy Haworth in 1809. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, previously placed in the subfamily Phytometrinae within Erebidae or in Calpinae within Noctuidae. It now resides in Boletobiinae, tribe Phytometrini. The genus contains approximately 40 described species distributed across multiple continents, with notable species including Phytometra viridaria (small purple-barred) and Phytometra rhodarialis (pink-bordered yellow moth).
Whites, Yellows, Sulphurs, Orangetips
Pieridae is a large family of butterflies containing approximately 76 genera and 1,100 species, characterized by white, yellow, or orange coloration with black markings. The family was established by William Swainson in 1820. The name "butterfly" is believed to derive from the brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni), a member of this family historically called the "butter-coloured fly." The family is divided into four subfamilies: Dismorphiinae, Pierinae, Coliadinae, and Pseudopontiinae. Many species are economically significant as agricultural pests, particularly those feeding on brassicas.
Pigritia nr-murtfeldtella-one is an undescribed or near-species member of the genus Pigritia, a group of small moths in the family Coleophoridae (case-bearer moths). The "nr" designation indicates morphological or genetic similarity to P. murtfeldtella, a described North American species, but not confirmed conspecificity. Members of this genus are characterized by their minute size and the larval habit of constructing portable cases from silk and plant material. This taxon is known from North American records, particularly in association with oak and other woody plants.
Pilocrocis is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Spilomelinae, erected by Julius Lederer in 1863. The genus is part of the diverse snout moth family and is distributed in North America, with confirmed records from the United States including Vermont. As a genus-level taxon, Pilocrocis encompasses multiple species-level moths, though specific species details are not well-documented in available sources.
Pima albocostalis is a species of snout moth (family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae) occurring in western North America. The species was described by Hulst in 1890 and is currently recognized as a synonym of Pima albocostalialis. It has been documented from California, Colorado, Utah, Alberta, and British Columbia. Like other pyralid moths, adults likely possess the characteristic snout-like labial palps that give the family its common name.
black slip wasps
Pimpla is a large, cosmopolitan genus of ichneumonid wasps comprising approximately 200 species. Members are idiobiont endoparasitoids that develop within the pupae or prepupae of holometabolous insects, primarily Lepidoptera. The genus is characterized by sturdy black bodies with orange or reddish markings, and females possess a short, stout ovipositor used to deposit eggs into host pupae. Several species have documented importance in biological control and biomedical research.
Plagiomimicus hilli is a moth species in the family Noctuidae, originally described as Stiria hilli by Barnes and Benjamin in 1923. It belongs to the subfamily Stiriinae, a group of owlet moths. The species is known from North America. Information regarding its biology, ecology, and specific habitat requirements remains limited in published sources.
Happy Tortrix
Platphalonidia felix is a species of tortrix moth in the family Tortricidae. The species was described by Walsingham in 1895. It is found across North America with records from Canada and the United States. The species was formerly placed in the genus Phalonidia, which explains the synonym Phalonidia felix.
Platynota exasperatana-complex is a species complex within the tortricid moth genus Platynota, comprising closely related species that are difficult to distinguish morphologically. Members of this complex are leafroller moths whose larvae feed on various plant hosts and are known agricultural pests. The complex is part of the diverse Tortricidae family, which includes many economically significant species.
Platynota labiosana is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, first described by Zeller in 1875. It belongs to the genus Platynota, which includes several economically significant leafroller moths. The species is part of the Sparganothini tribe within the Tortricinae subfamily. Available information about this specific species is limited compared to better-known congeners such as Platynota stultana (omnivorous leafroller) and Platynota idaeusalis.
Platynota redingtonensis is a species of tortricid moth described in 2012 by Powell and Brown. The species is endemic to Arizona, United States. As a member of the genus Platynota, it belongs to a group of leafroller moths whose larvae typically feed within rolled or folded leaves.
Platynota texana is a small tortricid moth described in 2012. The species is known only from Texas, United States. The wingspan measures approximately 14 mm. Very little is known about its biology, life history, or host associations.
A small tortricid moth with a wingspan of 13–18 mm, known from limited records in the southwestern and southeastern United States. First described in 1920 by William Barnes and August Busck. The species epithet 'viridana' suggests green coloration, though specific color pattern details are not documented in available sources.