Moths
Guides
Microhelia
Microhelia is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Heliothinae, established by Hampson in 1910. The genus contains at least one described species, Microhelia angelica. It belongs to the diverse noctuid moth fauna, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in scientific literature.
Mimallonoidea
Sack-bearer Moths
Mimallonoidea is a superfamily of moths containing the single family Mimallonidae, commonly known as sack-bearer moths. Members are characterized by larvae that construct portable silk cases or 'sacks' in which they live and feed. The superfamily was established by Burmeister in 1878 and is classified within the order Lepidoptera.
Mimcochylis
Mimcochylis is a genus of tortricid moths erected by Razowski in 1985. The genus contains four described species, all described in the same original publication: M. ochroplasta, M. plagiusa, M. planola, and M. plasmodia. It belongs to the tribe Cochylini within the subfamily Tortricinae. The genus appears to be poorly collected, with limited observational records available.
Miodera
Miodera is a genus of owlet moths (family Noctuidae) established by Smith in 1908. The genus contains two described species: Miodera eureka (Barnes & Benjamin, 1926) and Miodera stigmata (Smith, 1908). It is classified within the subfamily Noctuinae and tribe Eriopygini. The genus has been documented in North America with limited observational records.
Mirificarma
Mirificarma is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, established by Gozmány in 1955. The genus contains approximately 25 described species, organized into three species-groups based on morphological similarities: the montivaga, maculatella, and interruptella groups. Species are distributed across Europe, with records from Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, Sweden) and broader European ranges. Many species were originally described under other genera and later transferred to Mirificarma.
Munroeodes
Munroeodes is a genus of snout moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Pyraustinae. It was erected by Amsel in 1957 and contains four described species distributed across the Neotropical region. The genus is characterized by distinctive wing patterns and transparent areas in some species.
Musotiminae
Musotiminae is a subfamily of snout moths (Crambidae) established by Edward Meyrick in 1884. The group comprises approximately 20 genera distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical regions, with notable diversity in the Oriental and Australasian regions. Several species have been studied for their specialized associations with Lygodium climbing ferns, with some investigated as potential biological control agents for invasive fern populations. The subfamily was historically classified within Pyralidae but is now placed in Crambidae.
Nadata
Nadata is a genus of prominent moths in the family Notodontidae, established by Francis Walker in 1855. The genus contains at least two North American species: Nadata gibbosa and Nadata oregonensis. These moths are notable as hosts for certain parasitoid wasps, particularly thread-waisted wasps in the genus Ammophila.
Narraga
Narraga is a genus of geometrid moths established by Walker in 1861. The genus includes at least seven described species, with Narraga fimetaria (the green broomweed looper) being the most thoroughly studied due to its potential as a biological control agent for weedy broomweed in rangelands. Species in this genus are associated with open habitats and have narrow host plant associations.
Nasusina
Nasusina is a genus of small geometrid moths in the subfamily Larentiinae, established by Pearsall in 1908. The genus contains five described species distributed in western North America, ranging from California to British Columbia. Members are characterized by their diminutive size and relatively plain wing patterns. The genus name reflects the distinctive snout-like projection of the labial palps in some species.
Neargyractis
Neargyractis is a genus of aquatic moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Acentropinae. The genus was established by W.H. Lange in 1956 during a revision of North American aquatic moths. It contains at least eight described species distributed primarily in the Americas.
Nemeris
Nemeris is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, established by Rindge in 1981. The genus contains three described species: N. speciosa, N. percne, and N. sternitzkyi. It is classified within the subfamily Ennominae, one of the largest subfamilies of geometer moths. The genus appears to have limited documentation, with only 30 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Neotuerta
Neotuerta is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Agaristinae. The genus was established by Sergius G. Kiriakoff in 1976. It comprises at least five described species distributed across the Americas, from the southern United States through Central America and the Caribbean to South America. The genus appears to be associated with dry or sandy habitats based on species epithets and collection localities.
Nepheloleuca
Nepheloleuca is a genus of geometrid moths erected by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1883. The genus comprises twelve species characterized by similar wing patterns with variations in ground color and minor marking differences. Species are distributed across the Caribbean islands of Haiti, Cuba, and Jamaica, as well as mainland South America.
Noctuoidea
Owlet Moths and Allies
Noctuoidea is the largest superfamily of Lepidoptera, comprising more than 70,000 described species. Members are commonly known as owlet or noctuid moths. The superfamily is characterized by the presence of a metathoracic tympanal organ (hearing structure). Classification remains unstable due to extensive molecular phylogenetic revisions, with major families including Noctuidae, Erebidae, Nolidae, Euteliidae, Notodontidae, Oenosandridae, and Scranciidae. The group is divided into two major lineages based on forewing venation: trifid (Oenosandridae, Notodontidae) and quadrifid (all other families).
Nola
Nola is a genus of moths in the family Nolidae, described by William Elford Leach in 1815. The genus is the namesake of the subfamily Nolinae and occurs worldwide wherever suitable habitat is present. The genus includes numerous species, with at least one species, Nola sorghiella (sorghum webworm), recognized as an agricultural pest of sorghum in the eastern United States and Texas.
Nolidae
Tufted Moths, Tuft Moths
Nolidae is a family of small to medium-sized moths within the superfamily Noctuoidea, comprising approximately 1,400-1,700 described species worldwide. Members are characterized by relatively dull coloration and, in the subfamilies Nolinae and Collomeninae, distinctive tufts of raised scales on the forewings. The family was historically treated as a subfamily of Noctuidae but is now recognized as distinct based on morphological and molecular evidence. A defining feature of the family is the construction of a silk cocoon with a vertical exit slit for pupal emergence.
Nomophilini
Nomophilini is a tribe within the subfamily Spilomelinae of the Crambidae moth family. The tribe was erected in 1979 and contains 24 genera with approximately 358 species. It includes economically significant genera such as Nomophila, which contains the rice leaffolder (Nomophila noctuella), a notable agricultural pest. The tribe is characterized by diverse feeding habits across its constituent genera.
Notodontidae
Prominent Moths
Notodontidae is a family of moths comprising approximately 3,800 described species, first established by James Francis Stephens in 1829. The family is distributed globally but reaches its greatest diversity in tropical regions, particularly the New World. Adults are characterized by heavy bodies, long wings held folded across the back at rest, and predominantly dull coloration in grey or brown tones. The family name derives from Greek roots meaning 'back tooth,' referring to the tuft of hair often present on the trailing edge of the forewing. Larvae exhibit remarkable morphological diversity and possess chemical defenses uncommon in other Lepidoptera.
Odontiinae
Odontiinae is a subfamily of moths in the family Crambidae, containing approximately 100 genera organized into three tribes: Hercynini, Eurrhypini, and Odontiini. The subfamily exhibits a distinctive biogeographic pattern with exceptional diversity in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly in southwestern North America and western/central Asia. North American species show strong southwestern eremic specialization, with 34 of 57 species restricted to arid habitats, contrasting with depauperate eastern faunas. The group includes both widespread temperate species and highly restricted endemics in alpine and desert environments.
Oecophoridae
Concealer moths
Oecophoridae is a family of small moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea, commonly known as concealer moths. The family's circumscription remains unsettled due to unresolved phylogeny of gelechoid moths, with various treatments placing different subfamilies within or outside the family. The group includes species with diverse ecological roles, from nutrient recyclers feeding on dead plant material to significant household pests.
Oedemasia
Oedemasia is a genus of prominent moths in the family Notodontidae, established by Packard in 1864. The genus contains at least four described species distributed mainly in North America. Some species have well-known common names referring to larval characteristics, such as the red-humped caterpillar (Oedemasia concinna). The genus is classified within the subfamily Heterocampinae.
Olceclostera
Olceclostera is a genus of moths in the family Apatelodidae, a group of Neotropical bombycoids. The genus was established by Butler in 1878 and contains approximately 30 described species distributed from Central America through South America. Recent taxonomic work has revealed cryptic diversity, with several species previously lumped under O. bifenestrata now recognized as distinct based on genital morphology and DNA barcodes. The immature stages of Olceclostera were first described in detail in 2023, including the first scanning electron microscopy images of an apatelodid egg.
Ommatospila
Ommatospila is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Spilomelinae. It was established by Julius Lederer in 1863 and contains three described species distributed across the Americas. The genus belongs to a diverse group of pyraloid moths commonly known as grass moths or snout moths.
Opostegoides
Opostegoides is a genus of small moths in the family Opostegidae, established by Kozlov in 1985. The genus comprises approximately 25 described species distributed across the Palearctic, Oriental, and Australasian regions. Species are characterized by distinctive morphological features including modified wing venation and genital structures. Many species were described or revised in comprehensive taxonomic treatments by Puplesis, Robinson, and Sinev during the 1990s.
Oreta
Oreta is a genus of hook-tip moths in the family Drepanidae, established by Francis Walker in 1855. The genus contains approximately 50 described species distributed across Asia, organized into seven recognized species groups based on morphological characteristics. Species are primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions of East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.
Ortholepis
Ortholepis is a genus of small moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae, established by Émile Louis Ragonot in 1887. The genus contains approximately 12 described species distributed across the Holarctic region, with records from Europe and North America. Species within this genus are associated with various woody host plants including birch, blueberry, and rhododendron. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with some species transferred from related genera.
Orthotaenia
Orthotaenia is a genus of tortricid moths in the subfamily Olethreutinae, established by Stephens in 1829. The genus includes at least two recognized species: Orthotaenia undulana (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) and Orthotaenia secunda Falkovitsh, 1962. Records indicate presence across northern Europe (Denmark, Norway, Sweden) and North America (Vermont, USA). The genus belongs to the diverse tortricid moth family, whose larvae typically develop within plant tissues.
Oruza
Oruza is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Francis Walker in 1861. The genus has undergone taxonomic reclassification, previously placed in Aventiinae or Noctuidae. It is characterized by distinctive wing venation and reduced larval prolegs. The genus contains multiple species distributed across various regions.
Ozarba
Ozarba is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Acontiinae, established by Francis Walker in 1865. The genus contains over 200 described species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with particularly high diversity in sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, and parts of Asia. Species exhibit considerable variation in wing pattern and coloration, though many share characteristic forewing markings. The genus has been subject to extensive taxonomic revision, particularly by Hacker and colleagues in the 2010s.
Pangrapta
Pangrapta is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, first described by Jacob Hübner in 1818. The genus contains approximately 80 described species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Members are classified in the subfamily Pangraptinae, a group of underwing and related moths. The genus shows notable diversity in Asia, with significant representation in Borneo, Japan, China, and the Indian subcontinent.
Paramiana
Paramiana is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by William Barnes and Foster Hendrickson Benjamin in 1924. The genus currently contains five recognized species distributed in North America. Based on its placement in the subfamily Noctuinae, members are nocturnal and possess the characteristic features of owlet moths.
Parapheromia
Parapheromia is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, first described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1920. The genus contains five described species: P. cassinoi, P. falsata, P. configurata, P. lichenaria, and P. ficta. It is classified within the subfamily Ennominae, a diverse group of geometrid moths often associated with woody vegetation.
Parascotia
Parascotia is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Jacob Hübner in 1825. The genus was formerly classified in the subfamily Calpinae of Noctuidae but is now placed in Boletobiinae. It contains four described species, including the waved black moth (Parascotia fuliginaria), originally described by Linnaeus in 1761.
Periergosinae
Periergosinae is a subfamily of moths within the family Notodontidae, established by Kobayashi in 2016. The subfamily includes the genus Chadisra, which is distributed in the Sundaland region of Southeast Asia. Members are part of the diverse notodontid moth fauna, though specific ecological and biological traits remain poorly documented.
Perigea
Perigea is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Condicinae, erected by Achille Guenée in 1852. The genus contains approximately 50 described species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Species exhibit considerable diversity in wing pattern and coloration. The genus has been recorded from diverse habitats including lowland rainforests, dry forests, and subtropical woodlands.
Perigonica
Perigonica is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Smith in 1890. The genus contains five described species, all named by Smith or Dyar between 1888 and 1911. These moths are found in North America, with records from the United States and Canada. The genus is part of the diverse owlet moth family, which includes many nocturnal species.
Periploca
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.
Pexicopiini
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.
Phaeoura
Phaeoura is a genus of geometrid moths in the subfamily Ennominae. The genus includes several species, notably Phaeoura mexicanaria (pine looper) and Phaeoura quernaria (oak beauty), whose common names reflect larval host associations. Larvae of at least some species are known to feed on conifers or hardwood trees. The genus occurs in North America.
Phalacropsis
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.
Phalaenophana
litter moths
Phalaenophana is a genus of litter moths in the subfamily Hypeninae of the family Erebidae, established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873. The genus contains approximately ten described species distributed across the Americas, with records from North America (including Vermont) and South America (Brazil, Ecuador, Chile). The most well-known species is Phalaenophana pyramusalis, commonly called the dark-banded owlet moth. Current taxonomic databases treat Phalaenophana as a synonym of Phaeolita, though it remains widely used in identification resources.
Phalerinae
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.
Phtheochroa
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.
Phyllodonta
Phyllodonta is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, subfamily Ennominae, established by Warren in 1894. The genus contains approximately 30 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region, with some taxa extending into the Nearctic. Several species form cryptic complexes that are superficially indistinguishable based on adult external morphology but can be differentiated by genitalia, larval characteristics, host plant associations, and DNA barcodes. The genus has been subject to recent taxonomic revision, particularly for the latrata species group in Costa Rica.
Phyprosopus
Phyprosopus is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Erebinae, erected by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1872. The genus contains nine described species distributed across the Caribbean, Central America, and the southern United States. Most species have been documented from Cuba, with additional records from Texas, New York, Guatemala, and Costa Rica.
Phytometra
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).
Pilocrocis
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.
Plusiodonta
Plusiodonta is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Calpinae, erected by Achille Guenée in 1852. The genus comprises approximately 40 described species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World and the Americas. Adults are characterized by distinctive wing morphology with angled outer margins and specialized scaling patterns. Larvae possess two pairs of abdominal prolegs, a trait that distinguishes them from many other moth larvae.
Poaphilini
Poaphilini is a tribe of moths within the family Erebidae. Phylogenetic studies have shown this tribe to be most closely related to Ophiusini. The genera Achaea, Mimophisma, and Ophisma have been reclassified into Poaphilini based on molecular evidence, having formerly been placed in Ophiusini. The tribe contains multiple genera of nocturnal moths.