Moths
Guides
Caradrinini
Caradrinini is a tribe of moths within the family Noctuidae, subfamily Hadeninae. The tribe contains approximately 18 recognized genera, including well-known agricultural pests such as *Spodoptera* (armyworms) and *Callopistria*, as well as the type genus *Caradrina*. Members are primarily nocturnal and exhibit considerable morphological diversity.
Catocala
underwing moths, underwings
Catocala is a large Holarctic genus of moths in the family Erebidae, containing over 250 species. Adults are medium to large with cryptic forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings when at rest. The genus is renowned among collectors for its diversity of hindwing patterns in orange, red, white, blue, or black. The common name "underwings" derives from the habit of hiding the colorful hindwings beneath the dull forewings. The genus name combines Greek words meaning "beautiful below" or "beautiful hindwings."
Cenopis
Cenopis is a genus of tortrix moths in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Tortricinae, and tribe Sparganothini. The genus was established by Zeller in 1875 and contains multiple species distributed primarily in North America. These moths are small to medium-sized with characteristic tortricid wing posture at rest.
Cephimallota
Cephimallota is a genus of small moths in the family Tineidae, established by Bruand in 1851. The genus contains five described species distributed across the Palearctic region. These moths are classified within the clothes moth family Tineidae, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Cerathosia
Cerathosia is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Stiriinae, containing two described species: C. opistochra and C. tricolor. The genus was established by Smith in 1887. Members of this genus are part of the diverse owlet moth fauna of North America.
Chersotis
Chersotis is a genus of noctuid moths in the subfamily Noctuinae, established by Boisduval in 1840. The genus contains approximately 30 described species distributed primarily across the Palearctic region. Species are predominantly found in mountainous and northern European habitats. Many species were described during the 19th and early 20th centuries, with several taxa originally placed in other genera before reassignment.
Chlorosea
Chlorosea is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, subfamily Geometrinae. The genus contains four described species: C. banksaria, C. margaretaria, C. nevadaria, and C. roseitacta. These moths are found in western North America, with records primarily from the western United States. The genus was established by Packard in 1873.
Choreutinae
metalmark moths
Choreutinae is a subfamily of metalmark moths within the family Choreutidae, characterized by small size and often metallic coloration. The group was historically classified within various superfamilies but is now placed in its own superfamily Choreutoidea. Members exhibit distinctive wing patterns and are found across diverse geographic regions. The subfamily contains numerous species with complex taxonomic relationships that remain under study.
Choristostigma
Choristostigma is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Spilomelinae, established by Warren in 1892. The genus contains approximately ten described species distributed across North America, including C. roseopennalis, which has been documented at ultraviolet and mercury-vapor light traps in mountain oak woodland habitats. Species within this genus are small to medium-sized crambid moths, though detailed morphological and biological information remains limited in the published literature.
Cleora
Cleora is a genus of geometrid moths erected by John Curtis in 1825. The genus contains approximately 50 described species distributed across multiple continents. Some species, such as Cleora cornaria (the neem looper), are economically significant as defoliators of cultivated trees. The genus includes species with varied common names reflecting their appearance or host associations, including the ringed carpet (C. cinctaria), projected gray (C. projecta), double-lined gray (C. sublunaria), and kawakawa looper (C. scriptaria).
Cobalos
Cobalos is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Smith in 1899. The genus contains two described species: Cobalos angelicus and Cobalos franciscanus, both described by Smith in the same year. These moths belong to the subfamily Noctuinae, one of the largest groups of noctuid moths. The genus appears to be restricted to western North America based on the species epithets.
Collomeninae
Collomeninae is a subfamily of moths within the family Nolidae, established in 2012 by Zahiri, Lafontaine, and Schmidt. The subfamily comprises approximately ten genera distributed primarily in tropical regions of South America and Southeast Asia. The type genus is Collomena. The subfamily is distinguished from other Nolidae by a combination of morphological characters related to wing venation and genitalia structure.
Colobochyla
Colobochyla is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae. Its taxonomic placement remains provisional, currently tentatively classified in the subfamily Hypeninae pending further phylogenetic analysis. The genus was previously assigned to Phytometrinae (Erebidae) or Calpinae (Noctuidae). Six species are recognized, including the swamp belle moth (C. interpuncta) and lesser belle moth (C. salicalis).
Colomychus
Colomychus is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Spilomelinae. The genus was established by Munroe in 1956 and contains two recognized species. It is endemic to the Southeastern United States.
Concana
Concana is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae (subfamily Calpinae), established by Francis Walker in 1858. The genus contains at least four described species distributed from the southeastern United States through the Caribbean and Central America to Brazil. Species within this genus have been documented from Florida, Costa Rica, and various Antillean islands. The genus belongs to the diverse noctuoid moth fauna of the Neotropical and Nearctic regions.
Conchylodes
Zebra conchylodes moth (for C. ovulalis)
Conchylodes is a genus of snout moths in the family Crambidae, comprising 21 recognized species. The genus was established by Guenée in 1854 and is placed in the tribe Udeini. The monotypic genus Nonazochis, described by Amsel in 1956, was synonymized with Conchylodes, with its type species Azochis graphialis transferred to Conchylodes as Conchylodes graphialis. The genus includes the zebra conchylodes moth (Conchylodes ovulalis), noted for its distinctive black-and-white striped pattern.
Conservula
Conservula is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1874. The genus contains at least 17 described species distributed across multiple continents. Members exhibit distinctive morphological traits, including naked eyes without lashes, fully developed proboscis, and characteristic metathoracic tuft development that varies geographically.
Copablepharon
Copablepharon is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Noctuinae, established by Harvey in 1878. The genus contains more than 20 described species distributed primarily in North America. Many species were described or revised in the early 2000s by Crabo, Lafontaine, and colleagues. The genus includes several subspecific taxa, particularly within C. canariana, C. longipenne, C. spiritum, and C. viridisparsa.
Copanarta
Copanarta is a genus of noctuid moths erected by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1895. The genus contains two recognized species: Copanarta aurea and Copanarta sexpunctata. Both species are found in North America. The genus belongs to the subfamily Noctuinae within the family Noctuidae.
Cornifrons
Cornifrons is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Evergestinae. The genus was established by Lederer in 1858. Four species are currently recognized: Cornifrons actualis, C. albidiscalis, C. phasma, and the type species C. ulceratalis. The genus belongs to the snout moth family Crambidae, a large group of lepidopterans characterized by their elongated labial palps.
Cosmia
pinion moths
Cosmia is a genus of noctuid moths comprising approximately 35 described species distributed across the Palaearctic region. The genus includes notable species such as the dun-bar (C. trapezina), lunar-spotted pinion (C. pyralina), and white-spotted pinion (C. diffinis). Several species are associated with elm trees, and at least one species (C. pyralina) has experienced population decline in Britain linked to Dutch elm disease affecting its host plants. The genome of C. pyralina has been sequenced, revealing a 803.3 Mb assembly with 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules.
Cosmopteriginae
Cosmopteriginae is a subfamily of small moths within the family Cosmopterigidae. Members are characterized by narrow wings and minute size. Larvae of many species are internal feeders on plant tissues. The subfamily is most diverse in the Australian and Pacific regions.
Costaconvexa
Costaconvexa is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, subfamily Larentiinae, established by Ramón Agenjo Cecilia in 1949. The genus contains at least three recognized species, including the bent-line carpet (C. centrostrigaria) and the many-lined moth (C. polygrammata). Species within this genus are distributed across parts of Europe and North America.
Crimona
Crimona is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by John Bernhardt Smith in 1902. The genus contains five described species, all described from the late 20th century except the type species. Species are recorded from South America, with known distributions in Argentina and Chile.
Crinodes
Crinodes is a genus of moths in the family Notodontidae, established by Herrich-Schäffer in 1855. The genus is placed in the subfamily Dudusinae. At least one species, Crinodes besckei, has been studied for larval mouthpart functional morphology. The genus contains multiple species with records spanning the Americas.
Cropia
Cropia is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, erected by Francis Walker in 1858. The genus contains approximately 25 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. Species within this genus are part of the diverse owlet moth fauna and are classified within the subfamily Noctuinae. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revisions, with several species originally described under other genera later transferred to Cropia.
Cryphia
Cryphia is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Bryophilinae. Established by Jacob Hübner in 1818, the genus contains approximately 40 species distributed across the Palearctic and Nearctic regions. Several species have well-known common names, including the marbled beauty (C. domestica), marbled green (C. muralis), and tree-lichen beauty (C. algae).
Cucullia
Hooded Owlets
Cucullia is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as Hooded Owlets. The genus was erected by Franz von Paula Schrank in 1802 and contains numerous species distributed across the Holarctic region. Adults are typically nocturnal and attracted to light. Larvae of many species are specialized feeders on plants in the Scrophulariaceae family, particularly Verbascum (mullein), with some species exhibiting conspicuous coloration and diurnal feeding habits.
Cutina
Cutina is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Erebinae. The genus was established by Francis Walker in 1866 and currently contains at least four described species. These moths are part of the diverse noctuoid assemblage, though detailed biological information for the genus remains limited in published literature.
Cybilla
Cybilla is a genus of tortricid moths described by Pogue in 1990. The genus is currently recognized as a synonym of Cochylimorpha, a larger genus within the tribe Cochylini. The taxonomic status remains contested in some databases, with Catalogue of Life listing it as a synonym while GBIF recognizes it as accepted. Species previously placed in Cybilla are small to medium-sized moths with characteristic tortricid wing patterns.
Cyclophora
Mochas
A genus of moths in the family Geometridae, commonly known as mochas. Adults are small to medium-sized with relatively plain, brownish coloration. Caterpillars exhibit the reduced proleg count characteristic of geometrids, possessing only two or three pairs of prolegs rather than the typical five pairs found in most moth larvae. This morphological trait produces the characteristic looping gait that gives geometrid caterpillars their common name of inchworms or loopers.
Cydalima
Cydalima is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Spilomelinae. The genus contains approximately nine described species, with Cydalima perspectalis (box tree moth) being the most economically and ecologically significant due to its invasive status in Europe and North America. Most species in the genus are native to Asia, with limited documented information available for the majority of species beyond taxonomic descriptions.
Cydosiinae
Cydosiinae is a small subfamily of moths within Noctuidae, containing approximately 20 species distributed primarily across the Indo-Pacific region. The group is characterized by distinctive wing patterns and structural features that set it apart from other noctuid subfamilies. Species in this subfamily are relatively poorly studied compared to more diverse noctuid groups, with limited published information on their biology and ecology.
Cymbopteryx
Cymbopteryx is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Odontiinae. It was established by Munroe in 1961 and contains five described species distributed in North America. The genus is characterized by distinctive wing patterns with diffuse or linear markings.
Daulia
Daulia is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Spilomelinae. The genus was established by Francis Walker in 1859. Species in this genus are distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World, including parts of Africa, Asia, and Australia. The genus comprises relatively small to medium-sized moths with characteristic wing patterns typical of the Spilomelinae.
Daviscardia
Daviscardia is a genus of moths in the family Tineidae, established by Robinson in 1986. Members of this genus are small moths within the diverse Tineidae family, which includes many species associated with keratinous or detrital food sources. The genus is documented through approximately 40 iNaturalist observations, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Deinopa
Deinopa is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, established by Francis Walker in 1856. The genus was formerly placed in the subfamily Calpinae within Noctuidae, reflecting ongoing taxonomic revisions in moth classification. It contains six described species distributed across Central and South America, with the type species being Deinopa notabilis Walker, 1856.
Depressaria
Depressaria is a genus of moths in the family Depressariidae (subfamily Depressariinae), previously treated as part of Oecophoridae or as a distinct family. The genus contains approximately 80+ described species, with new species continuing to be discovered. Most species are specialists on Apiaceae (umbellifers), feeding on reproductive structures, though some species utilize Salicaceae (willows). Several species are economically significant agricultural pests or invasive species in North America, including D. depressana (purple carrot-seed moth) and D. radiella (parsnip webworm). The type species, D. heraclei (parsnip moth), has a confused taxonomic history dating to Linnaeus.
Depressariidae
Flat-bodied moths
Depressariidae is a family of moths comprising approximately 2,300 species worldwide. Formerly treated as a subfamily of Gelechiidae, it is now recognized as a distinct family within the superfamily Gelechioidea. The family includes ten subfamilies: Acriinae, Aeolanthinae, Cryptolechiinae, Depressariinae, Ethmiinae, Hypercalliinae, Hypertrophinae, Oditinae, Peleopodinae, and Stenomatinae. Several genera, including Carcina, Gonionota, Machimia, Himmacia, and Psilocorsis, remain unplaced within the subfamily structure. Members of this family exhibit diverse larval feeding habits, with many species specialized on particular plant families.
Depressariinae
Depressariinae is a subfamily of moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea, comprising approximately 600 species as of 1999. Modern classifications treat this group as the distinct family Depressariidae, though its taxonomic position has historically varied, with placements in Elachistidae sensu lato or expanded Oecophoridae. The group exhibits highest diversity in temperate regions, particularly the Holarctic, and is presumed to be of Palaearctic origin. Larvae typically develop in leaves spun together with silk, as stem borers, or as seed and flower feeders of dicotyledonous plants.
Desmia
Desmia is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, erected by John O. Westwood in 1832. The genus contains small to medium-sized moths, most commonly brown with variable white spotting on the wings, though some species exhibit orange or blue-green coloration. The majority of species are distributed in South and Central America, with additional species present in Africa, Asia, and North America. Several species are of agricultural significance, particularly Desmia funeralis, the grape leaffolder, which is a documented pest of grapevines in the United States and Mexico.
Diacme
Diacme is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Spilomelinae. The genus was established by Warren in 1892 and contains approximately 10 described species. Species within this genus are distributed in North America and parts of the Neotropics. The genus includes species such as Diacme adipaloides, D. elealis, and D. mopsalis.
Diasemiodes
Diasemiodes is a genus of small moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Spilomelinae. The genus was established by Munroe in 1957 and contains at least four described species distributed in the Americas. These moths are part of the diverse grass moth group, though specific ecological details remain limited in the literature.
Diastema
Diastema is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Condicinae. The genus was erected by Achille Guenée in 1852. These moths are part of the diverse owlet moth fauna, with species distributed across various regions. The genus name Diastema is derived from Greek, meaning 'space' or 'interval', though the biological significance of this naming in reference to moth morphology is not documented in available sources.
Diastictis
Diastictis is a genus of crambid moths in the subfamily Spilomelinae, established by Hübner in 1827. The genus comprises approximately ten recognized species, most described by Munroe in 1956. Species occur primarily in North America, with records from the United States including Vermont. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with two former species transferred to other genera.
Dichordophorini
Dichordophorini is a tribe of moths within the family Geometridae. The tribe contains the genus Dichordophora and related taxa. Members are geometrid moths, commonly known as inchworms or loopers due to the characteristic larval locomotion. The tribe is part of the diverse Geometridae family, one of the largest families of Lepidoptera.
Dicranurinae
Dicranurinae is a subfamily of prominent moths within the family Notodontidae, order Lepidoptera. The subfamily was established by Duponchel in 1845. Members are characterized by distinctive larval morphology, including modified head structures and often prominent anal processes. The group is primarily distributed in the Palearctic and Oriental regions, with some representation in other biogeographic realms.
Diedra
Diedra is a genus of tortricid moths established by Rubinoff & Powell in 1999. The genus contains five described species, all native to western North America. Most species were described from California and associated with coniferous host plants. The genus is placed in the tribe Archipini within the subfamily Tortricinae.
Dilophonotini
Dilophonotini is a tribe of hawk moths (family Sphingidae) containing approximately 25 genera divided into two subtribes: Dilophonotina and Hemarina. The tribe includes both day-flying and crepuscular species, with Hemaris (clearwing moths) being particularly notable for their transparent wings and bee-mimicry. Members range from small to medium-sized sphingids with diverse wing patterns and body forms adapted to varied ecological niches.
Diploschizia
sedge moths
Diploschizia is a genus of sedge moths in the family Glyphipterigidae. It was established by John B. Heppner in 1981. Most modern taxonomic treatments consider Diploschizia to be a synonym of Glyphipterix. The genus includes approximately twelve described species, such as D. impigritella (Yellow Nutsedge Moth), a tiny moth measuring only 4 mm in length. Species in this group are typically small and associated with sedges or related plants.