Psammopolia insolens is a noctuid moth restricted to Pacific Coast sand beaches in central California. The species occurs from Carmel to Bodega Bay, with most records from the San Francisco area. Adults are active in May and again from mid-September through October. The genus name Psammopolia reflects its specialized psammophilous (sand-loving) habitat.
Psara is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Spilomelinae. The genus was established by Snellen in 1875 and contains multiple species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. These moths are generally small to medium-sized with characteristic wing patterns typical of the subfamily.
Stoneroot Flower Moth
Psectrotarsia hebardi is a small noctuid moth in the subfamily Heliothinae, described by Skinner in 1917. It is known from a restricted range in the Appalachian region of the eastern United States. The common name refers to its larval association with stoneroot (Collinsonia canadensis).
Pselnophorus is a genus of plume moths in the family Pterophoridae, characterized by their distinctive wing structure. The genus contains approximately 18 species distributed across the Northern Hemisphere and southern Africa. Like other plume moths, members of this genus have wings divided into feathery plumes, an adaptation that reduces wing area while maintaining flight capability.
Pseudanthoecia tumida is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Grote in 1880. It belongs to the tribe Eriopygini within the subfamily Noctuinae. The species is known from North America, though detailed biological information remains limited. Like many noctuid moths, it is presumably nocturnal in its adult activity.
Virginia Pseudexentera Moth
Pseudexentera virginiana is a small tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae. The species was described by Clemens in 1864 and is known from the eastern United States. As a member of the tribe Eucosmini, it belongs to a group of small, often inconspicuous moths whose larvae typically feed internally on plant tissues. The specific epithet 'virginiana' suggests historical association with the Virginia region, though the species has broader distribution in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic states.
cutworm moth, dart moth
Pseudobryomima fallax is a noctuid moth species described by Hampson in 1906. It belongs to the cutworm or dart moth group within the family Noctuidae. The species is known to occur across North America, with 204 observations recorded on iNaturalist. Originally described under the genus Bryomima, it was later transferred to Pseudobryomima. Like other noctuids in this group, the larvae are likely soil-dwelling caterpillars that feed at or below ground level.
A small pyralid moth species described from Arizona in 1956. As a member of the Phycitinae subfamily, it likely exhibits typical snout moth characteristics including scaled wings and a compact body form. The species epithet indicates its type locality in Arizona, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
Pseudochelaria walsinghami is a small gelechiid moth described by Dietz in 1900. It is widely distributed across eastern and central North America, with records from 15 U.S. states. The species has a wingspan of approximately 17 mm and exhibits distinctive forewing patterning with dark brown markings, a longitudinal stripe, and a whitish apical fascia. Larvae feed on staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina), living under white silk webs on leaf undersides and along petioles.
A medium-sized moth in the family Erebidae, described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1910. Adults are active from late July through mid-November and are found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species is notable for its relatively narrow geographic range centered on the Madrean sky islands and adjacent Mexican highlands.
A noctuid moth in the subfamily Pantheinae, originally described by Grote in 1880 under the name Charadra palata. The species is known from North America and belongs to a small genus of moths that are part of the diverse owlet moth family.
Pseudorgyia russula is a species of owlet moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1883. It is found in North America, where it inhabits diverse terrestrial environments. As a member of the subfamily Calpinae, it belongs to a group of moths with varied feeding habits and ecological roles. The species has been documented through citizen science observations, with over 200 records contributing to knowledge of its distribution.
Pseudorthodes iole is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Schaus in 1894. It belongs to the genus Pseudorthodes within the tribe Eriopygini. The species is recorded as present in North America. Like other members of the Noctuidae, it is likely nocturnal as an adult. The larval stage is presumably a cutworm, feeding on vegetation, though specific host plant associations have not been documented in the provided sources.
Pseudotelphusa is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, established by Janse in 1958. The genus contains approximately 30 described species distributed primarily across the Northern Hemisphere, with records from Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. Species in this genus are generally small with wingspans typical of gelechiid moths. The genus includes both day-flying and nocturnal species, with some exhibiting characteristic wing patterns of pale ground color with darker markings.
A small gelechiid moth described by Chambers in 1872. Records indicate presence in the eastern and central United States. Specific biology remains poorly documented.
Dotted Leaftier Moth
Psilocorsis reflexella is a small moth in the family Depressariidae. Larvae are leaf-tiers that bind oak leaves together to form shelters. The species serves as prey for solitary wasps, particularly mason wasps in the genus Ancistrocerus. It occurs across eastern and central North America.
Psilopleura is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. The genus was established in 1898 and contains approximately 13 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. Species within this genus exhibit the characteristic warning coloration typical of tiger moths. The genus has been documented through 335 iNaturalist observations, indicating moderate field recognition.
Psilopleura polia is a moth species in the subfamily Arctiinae, first described by Herbert Druce in 1898. The species has a notably disjunct distribution, occurring from southern Texas through Central America and extending to Vanuatu in the southwestern Pacific. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 38 mm. Limited phenological data indicates adult activity in November in Texas, though broader seasonal patterns across its range remain undocumented.
Appleleaf Skeletonizer
Psorosina hammondi is a pyralid moth in the subfamily Phycitinae, commonly known as the Appleleaf Skeletonizer. The species was described by Riley in 1872 and is notable for its specialized larval feeding behavior on hawthorn (Crataegus) leaves, producing characteristic skeletonizing damage. Despite its distinctive common name and host association, detailed biological information remains limited in accessible literature.
bagworm moths
Psychinae is a subfamily of bagworm moths within the family Psychidae, established by Boisduval in 1829. The subfamily comprises at least 12 genera. Members are characterized by the construction of portable protective cases from silk combined with plant material, soil particles, or other debris. Larval case-building behavior is the defining trait of this group. Adult males are usually winged, while females are often wingless and remain in their cases.
Psychonoctua masoni is a moth species in the family Cossidae, described by William Schaus in 1892. The species has a limited known distribution in Mexico and southern Texas. As a member of Cossidae, it belongs to a family commonly known as carpenter or goat moths, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Clearwing butterflies
A genus of clearwing butterflies in the tribe Ithomiini, characterized by reduced wing scaling that creates transparent or semi-transparent wing areas. The genus contains approximately 40 described species distributed in the Neotropics. Members exhibit Müllerian mimicry with other ithomiine genera and are active during daylight hours.
plume moths
Pterophorinae is a subfamily of plume moths (family Pterophoridae) containing over 500 species across seven tribes. Members are characterized by wings divided into feathery plumes, a distinctive trait within Lepidoptera. The subfamily has a cosmopolitan distribution with highest diversity in tropical and subtropical regions. Many species are associated with specific host plants, with larvae feeding on various angiosperms.
Pterospoda nigrescens is a small geometrid moth with a wingspan of approximately 24 mm, distributed across arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species exhibits bivoltine flight patterns with primary activity periods in April and August in Arizona. Larvae have been successfully reared on Condalia species, specifically Condalia warnockii var. kearneyana, indicating a specialized host relationship with this shrub genus.
Pterotaea miscella is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae, subfamily Ennominae. Described by Rindge in 1970, this species is part of a genus of moths distributed in North America. The genus name Pterotaea derives from Greek roots referring to wing characteristics. Like other geometrid moths, adults likely have slender bodies and broad wings, with larvae that are inchworm-type caterpillars characteristic of the family.
Pterotaea plagia is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae, subfamily Ennominae. Described by Rindge in 1970, this species belongs to a genus of North American geometrid moths. Records indicate it is present in North America. The genus Pterotaea contains multiple species of small to medium-sized moths, though specific details about P. plagia's biology remain poorly documented in available sources.
silver prominents
Pygaerinae is a subfamily of the moth family Notodontidae, commonly referred to as the silver prominents and relatives. The subfamily was established by Duponchel in 1845. The genus-level taxonomy remains preliminary, as not all Notodontidae species have been assigned to subfamilies. The subfamily includes genera such as Clostera, Gluphisia, Pygaera, and Spatalia. Members are found across multiple continents with substantial observational records.
Pygarctia neomexicana is a moth species in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. It was described by William Barnes in 1904. The species occurs in the southwestern United States, with adult flight activity recorded from April through September.
snout moths
Pyla is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, described by Grote in 1882. The genus contains more than 20 described species distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia. These moths belong to the subfamily Phycitinae, a diverse group within the pyralid moths.
pyralid moths, snout moths, grass moths
Pyralidae is a diverse family of Lepidoptera in the superfamily Pyraloidea, comprising over 6,000 described species worldwide. The family is commonly known as snout moths due to the prominent elongated labial palps that project forward from the head. Historically, the Crambidae (grass moths) were included within Pyralidae as a subfamily, but modern classifications treat them as a separate family. Pyralidae includes numerous economically important pest species affecting stored products, agriculture, and forestry.
Meal Moths
Pyralis is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. It is one of the older lepidopteran genera established in modern taxonomy. The genus is commonly referred to as 'Meal Moths' in English. As a member of the subfamily Pyralinae, species in this genus possess the characteristic elongated labial palps that project forward from the head, giving snout moths their common name. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision over time, with at least one former species (Pyralis preciosalis) reassigned.
Pyrausta andrei is a species of crambid moth described by Eugene G. Munroe in 1976. It belongs to the genus Pyrausta, a diverse group of small moths commonly known as pyrausta moths or snout moths due to their elongated labial palps. The species is known from a limited number of records in Texas, North America. Like other members of Pyrausta, it is presumed to have a herbivorous larval stage, though specific host associations remain undocumented.
Pyrausta arizonicalis is a crambid moth described by Eugene G. Munroe in 1976. It is found in the southwestern United States, with records from Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Adults are active from April through November, indicating an extended flight period across multiple seasons.
dark-banded pyrausta moth
Pyrausta insignitalis is a small crambid moth commonly known as the dark-banded pyrausta moth. First described by Guenée in 1854, this species is found in the southeastern United States, the West Indies, and extends through Central and South America. It is a member of the snout moth family, characterized by elongated mouthparts projecting from the head.
Southern Purple Mint Moth
Pyrausta laticlavia, commonly known as the southern purple mint moth, is a small crambid moth with a wingspan of approximately 17 mm. The species occurs across the southern and western United States and has demonstrated northward range expansion in California during the 1990s. Adults are active during summer months, with flight periods varying by location.
Pyrausta subsequalis plagalis is a subspecies of crambid moth described by Haimbach in 1908. It belongs to the genus Pyrausta, a diverse group of small moths commonly known as pyrausta moths or snout moths. As a member of the family Crambidae, it shares characteristics with other pyraustines, though specific details about this particular subspecies remain poorly documented in available sources. The subspecies designation indicates geographic or morphological variation within the broader species P. subsequalis.
Spread-wing Skippers, Spread-winged Skippers
Pyrginae is a subfamily of skipper butterflies (family Hesperiidae) distinguished by their characteristic spread-wing resting posture, in contrast to the folded-wing posture of Hesperiinae. Members are commonly known as spread-wing skippers. The subfamily was established by Hermann Burmeister in 1878 and has undergone considerable taxonomic revision, with evolutionary relationships of many genera largely resolved by 2009. Pyrginae is one of two or three skipper subfamilies found in California, alongside Hesperiinae and Heteropterinae.
orange-patched smoky moths, leaf-skeletonizer moths
Pyromorpha is a genus of zygaenid moths known as leaf-skeletonizer moths. Species in this genus possess aposematic black and orange coloration and contain hydrogen cyanide at all life stages, which they synthesize rather than sequester from host plants. The genus participates in Müllerian mimicry complexes with net-winged beetles (family Lycidae), particularly Calopteron terminale. At least one species, P. dimidiata, has larvae that feed on leaf litter, especially oak leaves.
Pyromorpha caelebs is a species of moth in the family Zygaenidae, currently treated as a synonym of Pyromorpha dimidiata in major taxonomic databases. The species was described by Blanchard in 1972. Members of this genus are known as "leaf-skeletonizer moths" and participate in Müllerian mimicry complexes with net-winged beetles (family Lycidae).
common mellana
Quasimellana eulogius, commonly known as the common mellana, is a grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It has a broad distribution spanning Central America, North America, and South America. The species has been documented in at least 1,451 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is relatively well-encountered in its range.
Quasisalebria is a genus of small moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae, described by Heinrich in 1956. Members of this genus are part of the diverse snout moth assemblage, characterized by their relatively modest size and generally inconspicuous coloration. The genus is recognized within the Phycitinae, a large subfamily containing numerous species associated with dried plant material, seeds, and detritus. Species-level taxonomy within Quasisalebria remains incompletely resolved.
brother moth, brother
Raphia frater, commonly known as the brother moth, is a noctuid moth species distributed across forested regions of North America. Adults have a wingspan of 38–44 mm and are active from spring through summer. The species exhibits considerable geographic variation, with multiple described subspecies reflecting this diversity. Larvae feed primarily on aspen and related woody plants.
Abrupt Brother
Raphia frater abrupta is a subspecies of moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as the Abrupt Brother. It was described from North American specimens and is distinguished from the nominate subspecies by subtle morphological differences in wing pattern. The subspecies occurs in prairie and open woodland habitats across parts of Canada and the northern United States.
Raphia frater cinderella is a subspecies of moth in the family Noctuidae, described in 2014. It belongs to the genus Raphia, a small group of owlet moths. The subspecies is known from limited observations in North America. Its taxonomic status is accepted.
Raphia frater elbea is a subspecies of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described in 2014. It belongs to the genus Raphia, a small group of moths whose larvae feed on poplar and willow. This subspecies occurs in western Canada and the northeastern United States.
Rectiostoma is a genus of moths in the family Depressariidae, established by Becker in 1982. The genus contains approximately 17 described species, many of which were described by Duckworth in 1971. Species are primarily Neotropical in distribution. The genus is classified within the subfamily Stenomatinae.
A small gelechiid moth with a wingspan of 8.5–9.5 mm, recorded from the east-central United States. The larvae are leaf miners that feed specifically on Ceanothus americanus. First described by Braun in 1930.
Pygmy Redectis Moth, pygmy redectis
Redectis pygmaea, described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1878, is a small litter moth in the family Erebidae. It is one of the smallest members of its genus, with a wingspan of approximately 14 mm. The species is found in the eastern and south-central United States, where adults are active during summer months. It belongs to the subfamily Herminiinae, a group commonly known as litter moths due to their association with decaying plant material.
cutworm moth, dart moth
Resapamea venosa is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as a cutworm or dart moth. The species was first described by Smith in 1903. It belongs to a genus of moths whose larvae are typically associated with wetland and riparian habitats. The species has been documented in North America with limited observational records.
Retinia edemoidana is a small moth in the family Tortricidae, first described by Harrison G. Dyar in 1903. It belongs to the pine cone moth genus Retinia, whose larvae develop within conifer cones. The species is documented from western North America, where it associates with pine hosts.
