Moths
Guides
Abrostolini
Abrostolini is a small tribe of moths in the subfamily Plusiinae, family Noctuidae. The tribe was established by Eichlin and Cunningham in 1978 and contains two genera: Abrostola and Mouralia. Members of this tribe are part of the diverse noctuid moth fauna, with species distributed across various regions.
Acasis
Yellow-barred brindle (A. viretata), Olive-and-black carpet (A. viridata)
Acasis is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, subfamily Larentiinae, established by Philogène Auguste Joseph Duponchel in 1845. The genus contains at least three recognized species, including the well-documented Acasis viretata (Yellow-barred Brindle), which has been the subject of genome sequencing research. Species within this genus are small to medium-sized geometrid moths with distinctive wing patterns. Information on most species remains limited, with detailed biological data available primarily for A. viretata.
Acherontiini
Acherontiini is a tribe of hawkmoths in the family Sphingidae and subfamily Sphinginae. It includes Acherontia, Agrius, Callosphingia, Coelonia, and Megacorma. Documented members occur in Africa, Eurasia, the Americas, Australia, island regions, and New Zealand. The tribe contains substantial differences among genera and species, so a trait recorded for one member should not automatically be assigned to the whole tribe.
Acontia
Acontia is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Ferdinand Ochsenheimer in 1816. The genus has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with many species formerly placed here now transferred to Tarache. The genus remains under study, with related genera Eusceptis, Pseudalypia, and Spragueia sometimes included but currently treated as separate pending further research.
Acontiinae
bird dropping moths
Acontiinae is a subfamily of moths within the family Noctuidae, commonly known as bird dropping moths. The subfamily contains over 50 genera and approximately 430 described species distributed worldwide in temperate and tropical climates. Many species exhibit remarkable bird-dropping mimicry as adults, with cryptic coloration and patterning that renders them nearly invisible against lichen-covered bark or actual bird droppings.
Acontiini
Acontiini is a tribe of moths within the subfamily Acontiinae (family Noctuidae). Members are generally small to medium-sized noctuoid moths. The tribe has been the subject of taxonomic revision, with some genera historically placed here later reassigned to related tribes. Acontiini includes species with diverse morphologies but generally shares characteristics of reduced or simplified wing venation patterns compared to other noctuine groups.
Acrapex
Acrapex is a genus of noctuid moths established by George Hampson in 1894. Species in this genus are distinguished by their slender body form and specific wing venation patterns. The genus is placed within the subfamily Noctuinae.
Acrolophus
Grass Tubeworm Moths
Acrolophus is a genus of moths in the family Acrolophidae, originally described by Felipe Poey in 1832. The genus was formerly classified in the family Tineidae (clothes moths) but has been reassigned to Acrolophidae based on revised phylogenetic understanding. Species in this genus are commonly known as "grass tube moths" or "grass tubeworm moths" due to the distinctive larval behavior of spinning silken tubes at the base of grasses or around grass roots for concealment while feeding. The genus exhibits exceptional individual variation in color pattern within species, rendering field identification of many specimens difficult or impossible without dissection or molecular analysis.
Acronicta
Dagger Moths
Acronicta is a genus of approximately 150 noctuid moth species distributed primarily in the temperate Holarctic, with some species extending into adjacent subtropical regions. Adults are medium-sized moths commonly known as dagger moths due to distinctive black dagger-shaped markings on the forewings of most species; some species display a conspicuous dark ring marking instead. The genus was established by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.
Acronictinae
Acronictinae is a large subfamily of moths within the family Noctuidae. Members are commonly known as dagger moths, a name derived from the distinctive dark, dagger-shaped markings present on the forewings of many species. The subfamily contains numerous species distributed across diverse habitats, with larvae that exhibit varied feeding habits.
Actebia
Eversmann's rustic, Portland moth
Actebia is a genus of noctuid moths established by Stephens in 1829. The genus includes several species distributed across northern regions, with notable members including Actebia fennica (Eversmann's rustic or black army cutworm) and Actebia praecox (Portland moth). Some species have been observed to respond to landscape fire smoke with altered reproductive behavior.
Aenigmatineidae
Aenigmatineidae is a small, recently recognized family of moths in the order Lepidoptera. The family was established in 2015 from the enigma moth Aenigmatinea glatzella, known from Kangaroo Island off southern Australia. Its larvae are unusual among the early moth lineages discussed in the original description because they feed inside the stems of Callitris conifers. Adult mouthparts are strongly reduced, yet anatomical and genetic evidence places the family within Glossata, the lineage that includes most familiar tongue-bearing moths and butterflies.
Aethalura
Aethalura is a genus of geometrid moths (family Geometridae, subfamily Ennominae) containing four described species. The genus was erected by McDunnough in 1920. Species within this genus are primarily found in the Holarctic region, with records from Europe and North America. The most widely distributed species is Aethalura punctulata, commonly known as the grey birch.
Aganainae
Aganainae is a small subfamily of moths in Erebidae. It includes Agape, Asota, Digama, Euplocia, Neochera, Peridrome, Phaegorista, Soloe, and Soloella. Members occur mainly in tropical and subtropical parts of the Old World, and many are conspicuous because adults or caterpillars are large and brightly colored. The group has also changed position in classifications as relationships within Erebidae were studied.
Agathiphagidae
Agathiphagidae is a small moth family whose only living genus is Agathiphaga, commonly called kauri moths. It is an early-diverging lineage of Lepidoptera and lacks a functional proboscis. Its larvae are tied to kauri trees in the genus Agathis, feeding in sapwood and sometimes associating with seeds. Living species are recorded from northeastern Australia and the southwest Pacific.
Agliinae
Agliinae is a subfamily of giant silk moths in Saturniidae. The subfamily is centered on the genus Aglia, treated in one taxonomic overview as its only genus. Its best-known representative here is Aglia tau, the tau emperor, a Palearctic moth associated with woodland. Feeding, development, size, and flight timing described below apply specifically to A. tau unless stated otherwise.
Agrotisia
Agrotisia is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Hampson in 1908. The genus contains three described species: Agrotisia evelinae (Benjamin, 1933), Agrotisia subhyalina (Hampson, 1908), and Agrotisia williamsi (Schaus, 1923). It belongs to the tribe Eriopygini within the subfamily Noctuinae. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited information available on its biology and ecology.
Almita
Almita is a genus of crambid moths described by Bernard Landry in 1995. The genus contains two known species: A. portalia and A. texana, both described in the same publication. It belongs to the family Crambidae, a large group of pyraloid moths commonly known as grass moths. Very little is known about the biology or ecology of this genus.
Ambulycini
Ambulycini is a tribe of hawk moths in Sphingidae and Smerinthinae. Butler described it in 1876. The group includes Ambulyx, Adhemarius, Amplypterus, Protambulyx, and Orecta, among other genera. Because a tribe contains multiple genera and species, appearance, host plants, distribution, and activity can differ among members.
Ametris
seagrape spanworm moth (for Ametris nitocris)
Ametris is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, subfamily Desmobathrinae, established by Hübner in 1822. The genus contains two described species: Ametris monilaria (Fabricius, 1776) and Ametris nitocris (Cramer, 1780), the latter commonly known as the seagrape spanworm moth. The genus is classified within the geometer moth family, a large group characterized by slender bodies and larvae that move with a looping gait.
Amorpha
false indigo
Amorpha is a monotypic genus of sphinx moths in the family Sphingidae, subfamily Smerinthinae, and tribe Smerinthini. Its only species is the walnut sphinx, Amorpha juglandis; this moth genus is unrelated to the flowering-plant genus Amorpha in Fabaceae.
Anaplectoides
green arches (for A. prasina)
Anaplectoides is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by McDunnough in 1929. The genus comprises at least 13 described species distributed across the Holarctic and Oriental regions. The best-known species is Anaplectoides prasina (green arches), a widespread Palearctic moth. Some species, particularly A. virens, are recognized as agricultural pests due to their polyphagous herbivorous habits.
Anderida
Anderida is a genus of moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. Established by Heinrich in 1956, this genus belongs to the diverse group of snout moths. The genus contains species that are part of the North American moth fauna.
Anhimella
A small genus of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae, containing three recognized species. The genus was established by McDunnough in 1943. Species occur in North America, with records from both eastern and western regions. Adults are nocturnal and belong to the diverse subfamily Noctuinae.
Anicla
Anicla is a genus of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Grote in 1874. The genus currently comprises approximately 18 recognized species distributed across North America. Species within Anicla are divided into three subgenera: Anicla, Euagrotis (formerly treated as a separate genus), and an unassigned group. The genus includes the Green Cutworm Moth (Anicla infecta), which is frequently observed at blacklight traps during autumn.
Anopina
Anopina is a genus of tortricid moths in the subfamily Tortricinae, tribe Cochylini. The genus was erected by Obraztsov in 1962 and contains approximately 70 described species, most of which were described by Brown & Powell in a 2000 revision. Species are distributed primarily in North and Central America, with many endemic to Mexico. The genus is characterized by distinctive genitalic morphology, particularly in the male valvae.
Anorthodes
Anorthodes is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Smith in 1891. The genus contains two recognized species: Anorthodes indigena (Barnes & Benjamin, 1925) and Anorthodes triquetra (Grote, 1883). A third species, formerly placed here as Anorthodes tarda, has been reassigned to the genus Athetis. These moths belong to the diverse owlet moth family, which includes many nocturnal species with cryptic coloration.
Anticarsia
Anticarsia is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Jacob Hübner in 1818. The genus contains approximately 12 described species distributed primarily in the New World. The most economically significant species is Anticarsia gemmatalis, commonly known as the velvetbean moth or velvetbean caterpillar, which is a major pest of soybean and other leguminous crops throughout the Americas. Several species have been subjects of scientific research, including studies on the effects of microgravity on flight behavior in space.
Apatetrinae
Apatetrinae is a subfamily of small moths within the family Gelechiidae, established by Edward Meyrick in 1947. The subfamily includes two recognized tribes—Apatetrini and Pexicopiini—plus numerous genera currently unplaced to tribe. Many species are poorly known, though the group includes some economically significant pests such as the pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella). The subfamily exhibits considerable diversity in morphology and larval habits across its constituent genera.
Apilocrocis
Apilocrocis is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Spilomelinae. The genus was established by Amsel in 1956 and contains approximately 11 described species distributed across the Americas, from the United States through Central America to South America. Species within this genus are relatively small crambid moths, with several described by Hampson in the early 20th century and additional species described by Munroe in 1968.
Aplogompha
Aplogompha is a genus of geometrid moths in the subfamily Ennominae, established by Warren in 1897. The genus contains 14 described species distributed in the Neotropical region, primarily in Central and South America. Species were described between 1889 and 1923 by various lepidopterists including Dognin, Schaus, Thierry-Mieg, and Warren. The genus remains relatively understudied, with limited ecological or biological data available for most species.
Apotomops
Apotomops is a genus of tortricid moths established by Powell & Obraztsov in 1986. The genus contains seven described species distributed primarily in the Americas, ranging from the southwestern United States through Central America to South America. Species were described between 1907 and 2008, with several added by Razowski and colleagues based on specimens from Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Texas. The genus belongs to the tribe Cochylini within the subfamily Tortricinae.
Aramos
Aramos is a genus of carpenter moths (family Cossidae) established by Schoorl in 1990. The genus includes two recognized species: Aramos ramosa (Schaus, 1892) and Aramos itys (Druce, 1911). A third species, Aramos masoni, has been moved to other taxa. The genus status is marked as doubtful in some taxonomic databases.
Archirhoe
Archirhoe is a genus of geometer moths in the family Geometridae, subfamily Larentiinae, established by Herbulot in 1951. The genus contains four described species distributed in North America: A. associata, A. indefinata, A. multipunctata, and A. neomexicana. These moths are part of the diverse carpet moth group, though specific ecological and biological details remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Arctiinae
Tiger Moths and Allies, Tiger Moths, Woolly Bear Moths, Footmen, Lichen Moths, Wasp Moths
Arctiinae is a large and diverse subfamily of moths within the family Erebidae, comprising approximately 11,000 species worldwide. The subfamily includes tiger moths, footmen, lichen moths, and wasp moths. Many species are characterized by aposematic coloration, chemical defenses, and the production of ultrasonic sounds for defense and communication. The group was formerly classified as the family Arctiidae but was reclassified as a subfamily of Erebidae based on phylogenetic studies.
Aristotelia intermediella-group
The Aristotelia intermediella-group comprises tiny twirler moths in the family Gelechiidae. These microlepidoptera are characterized by bold, exotic-looking markings despite their small size. The group contains multiple closely related species that are difficult to distinguish without detailed examination. Members are attracted to ultraviolet light sources at night and have been documented in Colorado and New Mexico.
Aseptis
Aseptis is a genus of noctuid moths erected by James Halliday McDunnough in 1937. The genus contains approximately 15 recognized species, with some authors grouping them into informal species complexes based on morphological similarities. Species are primarily distributed in western North America. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, with several former species now excluded.
Atteriini
Atteriini is a tribe of tortrix moths within the subfamily Tortricinae, established by Busck in 1932. The tribe comprises eight recognized genera distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. Atteriini is part of the diverse family Tortricidae, which includes many economically important leafroller moths.
Aulacodes
Aulacodes is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, first described by Achille Guenée in 1854. The genus comprises approximately 40 described species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions, primarily in the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Species were historically classified in the subfamily Hydrocampinae, though modern Crambidae taxonomy has restructured many of these groups. The genus is distinguished from related crambid genera by specific wing venation patterns and genitalia characteristics, though detailed biological studies of most species remain limited.
Autoplusia
Autoplusia is a genus of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Plusiinae. The genus was established by James Halliday McDunnough in 1944. It contains seven described species distributed across the Americas. Members of this genus belong to the tribe Plusiini, which includes many species commonly known as looper moths due to their characteristic larval locomotion.
Autoplusiina
Autoplusiina is a subtribe of moths within the family Noctuidae, tribe Plusiini. Members of this subtribe are characterized by distinctive wing patterns and morphological features that separate them from other plusiine groups. The subtribe includes genera such as Autoplusia, from which it takes its name. These moths are primarily nocturnal and are found in various regions globally.
Azochis
Azochis is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Spilomelinae, established by Francis Walker in 1859. The genus contains approximately 16 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. Species have been recorded from Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. The genus is characterized by typical crambid morphology with nocturnal adult activity patterns.
Baileya
Desert Marigolds
Baileya is a genus of moths in the family Nolidae, subfamily Risobinae, established by Grote in 1895. The genus includes species commonly known as 'desert marigolds,' a name shared with an unrelated plant genus of the same name. The moths are found in North America, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The genus name creates potential for confusion with Baileya (Asteraceae), a genus of desert wildflowers.
Baniana
Baniana is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, established by Walker in 1858. The genus was previously placed in the subfamily Calpinae of the family Noctuidae before taxonomic reclassification. It contains approximately 50 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropics. The genus is characterized by distinctive wing venation and palp structure.
Banisia
Banisia is a genus of moths in the family Thyrididae, established by Walker in 1863. The genus is classified within the subfamily Striglininae and contains approximately 12 described species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. Species within this genus exhibit the characteristic wing patterns and morphology typical of thyridid moths, including intricate reticulate or banded forewing markings. The genus has been documented from Africa, Asia, and Indian Ocean islands including the Seychelles.
Biturix
Biturix is a genus of moths in the subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. It was established by Francis Walker in 1855. The genus contains eight recognized species distributed in the Neotropical region. Species are characterized by distinctive wing patterns and venation.
Blepharomastix
Blepharomastix is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, described by Julius Lederer in 1863. The genus contains approximately 80 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. Many species were described by early 20th century lepidopterists including Hampson, Dyar, and Schaus. The genus is currently treated as a synonym of Lamprosema in some taxonomic databases, reflecting ongoing revisions within the Spilomelinae subfamily.
Bombycidae
Bombycidae is a family of moths in the order Lepidoptera and superfamily Bombycoidea. Its members are commonly called silkworm moths, although the family contains more than the domesticated silk moth. The best-known member is Bombyx mori, the domestic silk moth; Bombyx mandarina is another familiar Asian species. Modern classifications have narrowed the family compared with some older treatments, so older lists may place additional moth groups here.
Bombycinae
Bombycinae is a subfamily-level group of moths in Bombycidae and Bombycoidea. It includes the familiar silk-moth genus Bombyx as well as other genera, including Trilocha and Ocinara. The group is taxonomically variable in published treatments, so a subfamily guide is more useful for membership and classification than for one appearance or life history. Bombyx mori provides a well-known example of scientific and cultural importance, but its domesticated biology should not be assumed for every member.
Bombycoidea
Hawk, Sphinx, Silk, Emperor, and Allied Moths
Bombycoidea is a superfamily of large-bodied moths comprising 10 families, including the silk moths (Bombycidae), giant silk moths (Saturniidae), sphinx or hawk moths (Sphingidae), and emperor moths (Saturniidae). Members are among the largest moths in the world, with adults typically possessing robust bodies and broad wings. Larvae frequently exhibit distinctive morphological features such as thoracic horns or tubercles. The superfamily is distinguished from close relatives in Lasiocampoidea by a combination of adult and larval characteristics.