Litter-moth
Guides
Bleptina
litter moths
Bleptina is a genus of litter moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Achille Guenée in 1854. These moths belong to the subfamily Herminiinae, commonly known as litter moths due to their association with decomposing plant material. The genus is characterized by distinctive wing venation patterns and male antennae structure. Species in this genus are found in North America, with documented records from the United States including Vermont.
Bleptina extincta
Bleptina extincta is a moth species in the family Erebidae, subfamily Herminiinae, described by Troubridge in 2020. The species epithet 'extincta' is Latin for 'extinct,' though this refers to the moth's appearance rather than conservation status. It is a recently described species with limited published information. The genus Bleptina contains small to medium-sized moths commonly known as litter moths.
Bleptina flaviguttalis
Bleptina flaviguttalis is a litter moth in the subfamily Herminiinae, described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1912. It belongs to a genus whose members are commonly known as litter moths due to their association with decaying plant material. The species is recorded from North America and has been assigned Hodges number 8373. Observations suggest it is a relatively infrequently encountered species within its genus.
Bleptina flavivena
Bleptina flavivena is a species of moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Herminiinae, described by Troubridge in 2020. It belongs to a genus of litter moths, though specific details about its biology remain limited due to its recent description. The species epithet 'flavivena' suggests a yellowish vein pattern on the wings, a characteristic feature of this taxon.
Bleptina minimalis
small owlet moth
Bleptina minimalis, commonly known as the small owlet moth, is a species of litter moth in the family Erebidae. First described by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1912 (not 1812 as sometimes misstated), it occurs in North America. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 8374. As a member of subfamily Herminiinae, it belongs to a group commonly referred to as litter moths, which are typically associated with dead plant material.
Bleptina verticalis
Bleptina verticalis is a species of litter moth in the family Erebidae, described by James T. Troubridge in 2020. It belongs to the subfamily Herminiinae, a group of moths commonly known as underwing or litter moths due to their typical resting posture with wings folded tent-like over the body. The species is part of a genus whose members are generally associated with moist, forested habitats where their larvae feed on decaying plant matter. As a recently described species, detailed biological information remains limited.
Carteris oculatalis
Dotted Carteris Moth
Carteris oculatalis is a litter moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Herminiinae. The species was described by Heinrich Benno Möschler in 1890. It is known from southern Florida, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama. The species has a MONA/Hodges number of 8391.
Chytolita morbidalis
Morbid Owlet, Morbid Owlet Moth
Chytolita morbidalis is a litter moth in the family Erebidae, commonly known as the Morbid Owlet. It is widely distributed across North America, ranging from coast to coast in the northern United States and Canada, extending south to North Carolina, Texas, and Florida. The species inhabits deciduous woodlands and forest edges. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light.
Hypenula caminalis
litter moth
Hypenula caminalis is a species of litter moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Smith in 1905. It belongs to the subfamily Herminiinae, a group commonly known as underwing or litter moths due to their association with decaying plant material. The species is known from North America, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented.
Idia
litter moths, American idia moths
Idia is a genus of litter moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Herminiinae. These moths are primarily nocturnal and are commonly attracted to light sources. The genus includes the well-known American Idia Moth (Idia americalis) and related species. Members of this genus are found across North America and are frequently documented in citizen science projects such as iNaturalist.
Idia aemula
Common Idia, Powdered Snout, Waved Tabby
A small litter moth in the family Erebidae, recognized by its gray forewings with intricate dark lines and a distinctive pale to orange-brown reniform spot. Adults are nocturnal and active from spring through fall, with multiple generations per year. The larvae feed on dead leaves, contributing to nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. The species is widespread across eastern North America and has been reported in the Palearctic region.
Idia concisa
American Idia Moth
Idia concisa, commonly known as the American Idia Moth, is a species of litter moth in the subfamily Herminiinae. It is a nocturnal species attracted to artificial light sources. The species is part of a taxonomically complex group within the genus Idia, where identification often requires careful examination of genitalic structures. Adults are active during warmer months and are frequently encountered by moth enthusiasts using blacklight or porch light setups.
Idia denticulalis
Toothed Idia Moth
Idia denticulalis is a small litter moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Leon F. Harvey in 1875. The species is widely distributed across eastern and central North America, from Quebec south to Alabama and Texas. Adults are active from spring through late summer, with generation timing varying by latitude. Larvae feed on lichen and detritus.
Idia diminuendis
Orange-spotted Idia Moth
Idia diminuendis is a small litter moth in the family Erebidae, first described in 1918. It occurs across eastern and central North America. The species has two generations per year in most of its range and is attracted to light.
Idia forbesii
Forbes' Idia Moth
Idia forbesii is a small litter moth in the family Erebidae, first described by George Hazen French in 1894. The species is widely distributed across eastern North America, with populations exhibiting univoltine life cycles in northern regions and multivoltine cycles in southern regions. Adults are active from late spring through fall depending on latitude.
Idia gopheri
Gopher Tortoise Moth, Tortoise Commensal Noctuid Moth
Idia gopheri is a litter moth in the family Erebidae, first described by J. B. Smith in 1899. The species is notable for its specialized association with gopher tortoise burrows, where its larvae develop. It has a restricted distribution centered on Florida, with potential range extension into adjacent southeastern states.
Idia julia
Julia's Idia Moth, Julia's idia
Idia julia is a small litter moth in the family Erebidae, first described by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1918. The species is distributed across eastern North America, ranging from southern Canada to Georgia and Texas. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 17 mm. Larvae feed on detritus, particularly dead leaves.
Idia laurentii
Laurentine Idia, Appalachian Idia
Idia laurentii is a litter moth in the family Erebidae, first described by J. B. Smith in 1893. It is endemic to the Appalachian region of the eastern United States, ranging from central New York south to the mountains of North Carolina. The species has a univoltine life cycle with one generation per year. Larvae have been documented feeding on dead cherry leaves.
Idia lubricalis
Glossy Black Idia Moth, Glossy Black Idia
Idia lubricalis, commonly known as the Glossy Black Idia Moth, is a litter moth in the family Erebidae. The species was first described by Carl Geyer in 1832. It is a small to medium-sized moth with a wingspan of 24–36 mm, found in deciduous forests across eastern North America from Canada to Florida and Texas. Adults are active from May through September, with multiple generations occurring annually in southern portions of its range.
Idia majoralis
Greater Idia Moth
Idia majoralis, commonly known as the Greater Idia Moth, is a species of litter moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Herminiinae. First described by J. B. Smith in 1895, it is distributed across eastern North America from Ontario and Quebec southward through the midwestern United States. The species is associated with forest floor habitats where decaying organic matter accumulates.
Idia occidentalis
Western Idia
Idia occidentalis is a small litter moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Smith in 1884. It was formerly treated as a subspecies of Idia lubricalis but is now recognized as a distinct species. The species is found in western North America, with adults active primarily in late summer in northern parts of its range. It inhabits dry, open environments including arid grasslands and badlands.
Idia rotundalis
Rotund Idia Moth, Chocolate Idia
Idia rotundalis is a small litter moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Herminiinae. First described by Francis Walker in 1866, it is widespread across eastern North America. The species exhibits latitudinal variation in voltinism, with one generation annually in northern populations and two or more generations in southern populations. Larvae are detritivores that feed on dead leaves and other organic debris.
Idia scobialis
Smoky Idia Moth, smoky idia
Idia scobialis is a small litter moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Grote in 1880. It occurs across eastern North America from southern Canada to the southeastern United States. The species has a wingspan of approximately 20 mm and completes one generation per year. Larvae are detritivores, feeding on dead leaves and other organic debris.
Idia suffusalis
Idia suffusalis is a species of litter moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Smith in 1899 from the Santa Rita Mountains in southeastern Arizona. It belongs to the subfamily Herminiinae, a group commonly known as litter moths due to their association with decaying plant material. The species is known from North America, with confirmed records from the southwestern United States.
Idia terrebralis
Idia terrebralis is a litter moth species in the family Erebidae, first described from North America in 1912. It belongs to the subfamily Herminiinae, a group commonly known as litter moths due to their association with dead plant material. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature, with few published observations beyond original description and scattered collection records. It is one of approximately 50 species in the genus Idia, most of which are North American.
Lascoria
litter moths
Lascoria is a genus of litter moths in the subfamily Herminiinae of family Erebidae. The genus was erected by Francis Walker in 1859 and contains approximately 14 described species distributed primarily in the Americas. Members are commonly known as litter moths due to their association with decomposing leaf litter in forest habitats.
Lascoria alucitalis
Lascoria alucitalis is a litter moth in the family Erebidae, described by Guenée in 1854. It belongs to the subfamily Herminiinae, a group commonly known as litter moths due to their association with decaying plant material. The species has a broad distribution across the Caribbean, Central America, and the southeastern United States.
Lascoria ambigualis
Ambiguous Moth
Lascoria ambigualis is a litter moth in the subfamily Herminiinae, first described by Francis Walker in 1866. Adults are active from April through September, with two generations in Connecticut and multiple broods in Missouri. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in wing morphology. Larvae feed on living plant material and have been successfully reared on dead leaves.
Lascoria orneodalis
Enigmatic Owlet
Lascoria orneodalis is a litter moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Herminiinae. It occurs in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. The species is known to feed on Lycopersicon (nightshades) during its larval stage. It has been documented across North America and Caribbean regions including Jamaica.
Macristis
Macristis is a genus of litter moths within the family Erebidae, described by Schaus in 1916. The genus comprises four recognized species distributed in the Americas. These moths are classified in the subfamily Hypeninae, a group characterized by their association with leaf litter and detritus habitats. Relatively little is known about the biology of most Macristis species.
Macrochilo absorptalis
slant-lined owlet moth, slant-lined fan-foot
Macrochilo absorptalis, commonly known as the slant-lined owlet moth or slant-lined fan-foot, is a small litter moth in the family Erebidae. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 22 mm and are active from May to September. The species exhibits latitudinal variation in voltinism: one generation per year in northern populations and two or more generations in southern populations. It is widely distributed across eastern and central North America.
Macrochilo litophora
Brown-lined Owlet, Angulate Fan-foot, Brown-lined Owlet Moth
Macrochilo litophora is a small litter moth in the subfamily Herminiinae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873. It occurs across the eastern and central United States. The species exhibits regional variation in voltinism, with one generation annually in northern populations and two generations in parts of the Midwest. Larvae are detritivores, feeding on dead plant material.
Macrochilo louisiana
Louisiana Owlet, Louisiana Macrochilo, Louisiana Snout-moth
Macrochilo louisiana is a small litter moth in the family Erebidae, first described by William Trowbridge Merrifield Forbes in 1922. It is widely distributed across North America, ranging from Quebec and Maine south to Florida, west to Texas, and north to Alberta. Adults are active from June to September in northern populations and from February onward in southern populations. The species has a wingspan of 20–27 mm.
Macrochilo orciferalis
Bronzy Macrochilo, Chocolate Fan-foot, Bronzy Owlet
Macrochilo orciferalis is a small litter moth in the subfamily Herminiinae, commonly known as the bronzy macrochilo or chocolate fan-foot. It is widely distributed across eastern and central North America. Adults fly during summer months with multiple generations per year in northern populations.
Macrochilo santerivalis
floating water plantain moth, macrochilo moth
Macrochilo santerivalis is a litter moth in the family Erebidae, described by Ferguson in 1982. It is known by the common names floating water plantain moth and macrochilo moth. The species is recorded from North America and has been assigned Hodges number 8359.1. As a member of subfamily Herminiinae, it belongs to a group commonly associated with wetland and moist habitats.
Phlyctaina
Phlyctaina is a monotypic genus of litter moths in the family Erebidae, established by Heinrich Benno Möschler in 1890. It contains a single species, Phlyctaina irrigualis, which occurs in North America. The genus belongs to the subfamily Herminiinae, a group commonly known as litter moths due to their association with decomposing plant material. The Hodges number for the sole species is 8392.
Phlyctaina irrigualis
Skirted Owlet
Phlyctaina irrigualis, commonly known as the Skirted Owlet, is the sole species in the monotypic genus Phlyctaina. This moth belongs to the subfamily Herminiinae within Erebidae, a group often associated with litter-dwelling habits. The species was described by Heinrich Benno Möschler in 1890 and occurs in North America. The common name "Skirted Owlet" likely refers to wing margin characteristics typical of this group.
Redectis pygmaea
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.
Redectis vitrea
White-spotted Redectis Moth, Scalloped Snout
Redectis vitrea is a small litter moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1878. It occurs across the eastern and central United States. The species exhibits bivoltine phenology in at least part of its range, with adult activity spanning summer through early autumn.
Rejectaria
Rejectaria is a genus of litter moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Herminiinae. These moths are characterized by their association with leaf litter and detritus habitats. The genus was established by Guenée in 1854 and contains multiple species distributed primarily in the Americas. One documented species, Rejectaria albisinuata, occurs in southeastern Arizona.
Renia flavipunctalis
Yellow-spotted Renia Moth, Yellow-dotted Renia, Even-lined Renia
Renia flavipunctalis is a litter moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Carl Geyer in 1832. It is a medium-sized moth with a wingspan of 26–31 mm, recognized by its yellow spotting pattern. The species occurs across eastern and central North America, from southern Canada to the southern United States. Adults are active during summer months, with northern populations having a single generation per year. Larvae feed on decaying organic matter, particularly dead leaves of deciduous trees.
Renia mortualis
Renia mortualis is a species of litter moth in the family Erebidae, first described by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1912. The species has been documented in the Huachuca Mountains of southeastern Arizona. It belongs to the subfamily Herminiinae, a group commonly known as litter moths due to the larval habit of feeding on dead plant material. Records for this species remain sparse, with limited observational data available.
Renia nemoralis
Chocolate Renia Moth, Tardy Renia
Renia nemoralis is a litter moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1918. It is commonly known as the Chocolate Renia Moth or Tardy Renia. The species occurs across the eastern and central United States, with adults active in late season. Larvae are detritivores, feeding on dead leaves and other organic matter.
Renia rigida
litter moth
Renia rigida is a species of litter moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Smith in 1905. It belongs to the subfamily Herminiinae, a group commonly associated with leaf litter habitats. The species has been documented in scattered localities across western and midwestern North America.
Renia salusalis
Dotted Renia Moth, dotted renia
Renia salusalis, commonly known as the Dotted Renia Moth, is a litter moth in the family Erebidae. It was first described by Francis Walker in 1859. The species occurs across the eastern and central United States, where its larvae feed on detritus. Adults are active from late spring through early autumn, with generation timing varying by latitude.
Renia sobrialis
Sober Renia Moth, sober renia
Renia sobrialis, commonly known as the Sober Renia Moth, is a litter moth in the family Erebidae. First described by Francis Walker in 1859, this small moth is widespread in eastern North America. Adults are active from spring through late summer, and the larvae feed on decomposing leaf litter.
Simplicia cornicalis
Magas fruit-borer
Simplicia cornicalis is a litter moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Herminiinae. Native to south-eastern Asia and the Pacific, it has been introduced to the southern United States, specifically Florida and Louisiana. The species is known from diverse island and continental locations including India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Fiji, Hawaii, Australia, and New Caledonia. Its common name "Magas fruit-borer" suggests larval association with fruit, though specific host documentation is limited.
Tetanolita floridana
Florida Tetanolita Moth, Florida Owlet
Tetanolita floridana, commonly known as the Florida Tetanolita Moth or Florida Owlet, is a litter moth in the family Erebidae. First described by J. B. Smith in 1895, this small moth has a wingspan of 20–24 mm. It is notable for its broad geographic distribution across the eastern United States, extending from Wisconsin to Long Island and south to Florida and Texas. The species exhibits variable adult activity periods depending on latitude, with year-round flight in the southernmost parts of its range.
Tetanolita mynesalis
Smoky Tetanolita, Smoky Tetanolita Moth
Tetanolita mynesalis, known as the smoky tetanolita, is a small litter moth in the family Erebidae. First described by Francis Walker in 1859, it occurs in eastern North America with adults active from late spring through late autumn. The species is notable as a prey item of bolas spiders, which chemically mimic its female sex pheromones to attract males.
Zanclognatha atrilineella
Black-lined Fan-foot
Zanclognatha atrilineella is a small litter moth in the family Erebidae, described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873. It is commonly known as the Black-lined Fan-foot. The species is restricted to the southeastern United States. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 23 mm.