Moths
Guides
Ponometia
Ponometia is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Acontiinae. The genus was erected by Herrich-Schäffer in 1868 and contains approximately 45 described species. Some authorities treat Ponometia as a synonym of Acontia, reflecting ongoing taxonomic debate. Species in this genus have been historically classified under several other genera including Conochares, Fruva, and Tarachidia.
Prochoerodes
Prochoerodes is a genus of geometer moths in the family Geometridae, established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1883. The genus comprises approximately 24 described species distributed primarily in North America. At least one species, Prochoerodes truxaliata, has been documented feeding on coyote bush (Baccharis pilularis) as a caterpillar. Research has examined Prochoerodes onustaria as a potential biological control agent for Brazilian peppertree, though it was determined unsuitable for this purpose. The genus is regularly encountered in moth surveys and blacklighting events in western North America.
Prodoxus
Bogus Yucca Moths
Prodoxus is a genus of moths in the family Prodoxidae comprising approximately 22 species, commonly known as bogus yucca moths. Unlike their pollinating relatives in the genus Tegeticula, Prodoxus species are non-pollinating yucca moths that exploit yucca plants as hosts without providing mutualistic services. The genus exhibits diverse feeding specializations, with larvae feeding on yucca flowering stalks, fruits, or leaves depending on the species. Host-associated divergence and incipient speciation have been documented, with specialization closely tied to host plant shifts.
Prolita
Prolita is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, tribe Litini. The genus contains approximately 22 described species, many of which were described by Hodges in 1966. Species are distributed across North America and parts of Europe, with records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The genus was established by Leraut in 1993.
Prorella
Prorella is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, subfamily Larentiinae. It was erected by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1918. The genus contains approximately 15 described species distributed in North America. Species were described between 1882 and 1949 by various lepidopterists including Grote, Hulst, Grossbeck, and McDunnough.
Prosoparia
Prosoparia is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Calpinae, established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1883. The genus contains approximately 17 described species distributed across the Americas, from the southern United States through Central America to South America. Formerly classified within Noctuidae, it was reassigned to Erebidae following taxonomic revisions. The genus includes both temperate and tropical species with varying ecological preferences.
Protolampra
Protolampra is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Noctuinae. The genus was established by McDunnough in 1929 and contains four recognized species. Species within this genus are distributed across northern Europe and North America, with records from Scandinavia, Denmark, and the northeastern United States including Vermont.
Provia
Provia is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Noctuinae. The genus was established by Barnes and McDunnough in 1910. Species within this genus are part of the diverse owlet moth fauna of North America. The genus is not widely studied, and specific ecological details for most species remain poorly documented.
Psamathia
Psamathia is a genus of moths in the family Uraniidae, subfamily Epipleminae. The genus was established by Francis Walker in 1861. Species in this genus are found in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in Asia. The genus belongs to a family known for moths with distinctive wing shapes and often iridescent coloration.
Psamatodes
Psamatodes is a genus of geometrid moths erected by Achille Guenée in 1857. The genus contains at least 20 described species distributed primarily in the Americas. Species-level taxonomy remains partially unresolved, with some names treated as synonyms in recent databases. The genus is placed in the subfamily Ennominae, a diverse group of inchworm moths.
Psammobotys
Psammobotys is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Odontiinae. The genus was erected by Munroe in 1961 and contains two described species: P. fordi (type species) and P. alpinalis. The genus name derives from Greek 'psammos' (sand), suggesting a potential association with sandy habitats. Both species were described by Munroe, with P. fordi described in 1961 and P. alpinalis in 1972.
Psara
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.
Pseudacontia
Pseudacontia is a small genus of noctuid moths established by John B. Smith in 1883. The genus contains three recognized species distributed in North America. Species were originally described from the late 19th to early 20th century. The genus name suggests a resemblance to the related genus Acontia.
Pseudeustrotiini
Pseudeustrotiini is a small tribe of noctuid moths established by Beck in 1996. It contains at least three described species distributed across two genera: *Anterastria* and *Pseudeustrotia*. The tribe belongs to the subfamily Noctuinae, a diverse group commonly known as cutworm or dart moths.
Pseudeva
Pseudeva is a genus of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Plusiinae, established by Hampson in 1913. The genus contains two described species: Pseudeva palligera (Grote, 1881) and Pseudeva purpurigera (Walker, 1858). These moths are found in North America. Pseudeva purpurigera, commonly known as the Straight-lined Looper moth, has been documented at light stations in Colorado.
Pseudogalleria
Pseudogalleria is a genus of tortricid moths established by Émile Ragonot in 1884. The genus contains a single described species, Pseudogalleria inimicella (Zeller, 1872). It is classified within the subfamily Olethreutinae and tribe Grapholitini. The genus has been documented through 437 iNaturalist observations.
Pseudorthodes
Pseudorthodes is a genus of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Morrison in 1874. The genus contains eight described species distributed primarily in North America. These moths belong to the subfamily Noctuinae and tribe Eriopygini. The genus includes species such as P. vecors, the type species, and P. irrorata, described by Smith in 1888.
Pseudosciaphila
Pseudosciaphila is a genus of tortricid moths in the subfamily Olethreutinae, established by Obraztsov in 1966. The genus contains at least two described species: P. branderiana (Linnaeus, 1758) and P. duplex (Walsingham, 1905). These moths are part of the diverse leafroller moth family Tortricidae, which includes many economically significant agricultural pests. The genus has been recorded from northern Europe and North America.
Pseudotelphusa
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.
Pygaerinae
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.
Pyla
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.
Pyralidae
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.
Pyramidobela
Pyramidobela is a genus of small moths described by Braun in 1923. Its familial placement has been disputed; it was originally described in Ethmiidae, later transferred to Oecophoridae, and some sources place it in Depressariidae. The genus contains seven described species distributed in western North America. The genus name refers to the pyramid-shaped scales found on the wings of some species.
Pyrrhia
Pyrrhia is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Heliothinae, containing approximately eight described species distributed primarily across the Palearctic region. The genus includes the Bordered Sallow moth (Pyrrhia umbra), for which a complete genome sequence has been generated as part of the Darwin Tree of Life Project. Species within this genus are medium-sized noctuid moths with characteristic wing patterns.
Quasisalebria
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.
Resapamea
Resapamea is a genus of noctuid moths established by Varga & Ronkay in 1992. The genus comprises approximately 14 described species distributed across the Holarctic region. Many species were transferred from other genera, particularly Luperina, based on revised morphological and phylogenetic studies. The genus includes both widespread species and geographically restricted endemics in high-altitude and northern habitats.
Rhizagrotis
Rhizagrotis is a genus of noctuid moths erected by John Bernhardt Smith in 1890. The genus contains five described species distributed across North America and the Mediterranean region. It belongs to the subfamily Noctuinae, one of the largest and most diverse groups within the family Noctuidae.
Rivulinae
Rivulinae is a subfamily of moths in the family Erebidae, established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1895. The subfamily is characterized by distinctive larval and adult morphological features: caterpillars possess long, barbed hairs and retain full prolegs on abdominal segments 3 through 6, while adults exhibit a unique microsculpturing proboscis. Taxonomic placement has been revised; Rivulinae was formerly classified within Hypeninae or Noctuidae but is now retained in Erebidae based on phylogenetic studies. The subfamily includes approximately 8 recognized genera, with members distributed across multiple continents.
Saturniidae
Emperor and Giant Silk Moths, saturniids, giant silkworm moths, royal moths
Saturniidae is a family of Lepidoptera containing approximately 2,300 described species, including some of the largest moths in the world. Adults are characterized by large lobed wings, heavy bodies covered in hair-like scales, reduced or vestigial mouthparts, and the absence of a frenulum. The family exhibits notable diversity in the Neotropics, with highest species richness in tropical and subtropical wooded regions. Many species produce silk cocoons, and several have significant economic or cultural importance.
Scelidacantha
Scelidacantha is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, subfamily Larentiinae. It was established by George Duryea Hulst in 1896 and contains two recognized species: S. narosa and S. triseriata. The genus is rarely encountered in collections and field observations, with limited published information available on its biology.
Scolecocampa
Scolecocampa is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, established by Achille Guenée in 1852. The genus was previously classified in the subfamily Calpinae of Noctuidae before reclassification to Erebidae. The genus contains at least seven described species distributed in the Americas. Species-level biology remains poorly documented for most members.
Scybalistodes
Scybalistodes is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Glaphyriinae, established by Eugene G. Munroe in 1964. The genus contains nine described species distributed primarily in the Americas. Most species were described in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The genus is part of a diverse group of small to medium-sized crambid moths.
Selenisa
Selenisa is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Calpinae. The genus was established by Hayward in 1967 and contains approximately 12 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. One species, Selenisa sueroides, has been studied for its associated parasitoid fauna.
Selicanis
Selicanis is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Smith in 1900. The genus is monotypic, containing only Selicanis cinereola, described from the same publication. It is placed within the subfamily Noctuinae, one of the largest subfamilies of owlet moths. The genus is poorly known, with minimal published information beyond its original description.
Sericoptera
Sericoptera is a genus of New World geometrid moths erected by Herrich-Schäffer in 1855. The genus contains seven described species distributed from Canada to Bolivia. Adults are characterized by distinctive wing patterns of white to cream ground color with pale brown transverse bands. The type species is Sericoptera mahometaria (Herrich-Schäffer, [1853]), originally described as Geometra mahometaria.
Sicya
Sicya is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, subfamily Ennominae, established by Achille Guenée in 1857. The genus contains seven described species, primarily distributed in North America. These moths are part of the diverse geometrid fauna commonly known as inchworm or geometer moths, though specific ecological traits of the genus remain poorly documented.
Sonia
Sonia is a genus of tortricid moths in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae, and tribe Eucosmini. The genus was established by Heinrich in 1923. Like other olethreutine tortricids, species in this genus are small to medium-sized moths with characteristic wing patterns and larval stages that typically develop within plant tissues such as stems, roots, or fruits.
Sphacelodes
Sphacelodes is a genus of geometrid moths established by Achille Guenée in 1857. The genus contains at least three recognized species: S. vulneraria, S. fusilineatus, and S. haitiaria. It is classified within the subfamily Ennominae of the family Geometridae. The genus has accumulated over 2,900 observations on iNaturalist, indicating moderate documentation of its species.
Spilomelini
Spilomelini is a tribe of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Spilomelinae, erected by Achille Guenée in 1854. The tribe currently comprises 17 genera containing approximately 135 described species. Members are distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The tribe includes several economically significant agricultural pests, particularly in the genus Cnaphalocrocis.
Stegea
Stegea is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Glaphyriinae. The genus was erected by Munroe in 1964 and contains approximately eleven described species distributed across North America, the Caribbean, and Central America. Species within this genus are generally small moths with relatively simple wing patterns.
Stiria
Stiria is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1874. It comprises approximately 15 described species distributed primarily across western North America and Mexico, with one species extending into eastern North America. The genus belongs to the subfamily Stiriinae and is characterized by features typical of this group. Species occupy diverse habitats ranging from desert regions to montane environments.
Striglininae
Striglininae is a subfamily of moths within the family Thyrididae, a group commonly known as picture-winged or window-winged moths. These moths are characterized by distinctive wing patterns that often feature transparent or semi-transparent areas. The subfamily contains multiple genera distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. Striglininae moths are part of the superfamily Thyridoidea, a relatively small but morphologically diverse lineage of Lepidoptera.
Swammerdamia
Swammerdamia is a genus of small moths in the family Yponomeutidae, established by Hübner in 1825. The genus contains approximately 13 described species distributed across the Palearctic, Afrotropical, and Nearctic regions. Species are associated with various host plants, including Rosaceae. The genus is named in honor of the Dutch naturalist Jan Swammerdam.
Syricoris
Syricoris is a genus of tortrix moths established by Treitschke in 1829, comprising approximately six recognized species. The genus belongs to the subfamily Olethreutinae and is taxonomically closely related to Celypha, with which it has sometimes been merged. Species in this genus are small moths with distributions primarily across the Palearctic region. The genus includes several widespread species such as Syricoris lacunana and Syricoris rivulana.
Tacoma
Tacoma is a genus of moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. The genus was described by George D. Hulst in 1888. It belongs to the snout moth family Pyralidae, a large and diverse group of small to medium-sized moths characterized by their prominent labial palps that extend forward like a snout. Species in this genus are found in North America.
Tarache
Tarache is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Acontiinae, erected by Jacob Hübner in 1823. The genus comprises primarily New World species, most of which were formerly classified under the genus Acontia. Taxonomic authorities differ on its status: Catalogue of Life treats Tarache as accepted, while GBIF and some lepidopteran resources list it as a synonym of Acontia. The genus includes approximately 50 described species arranged in three main species groups (aprica, bilimeki, and lucasi groups).
Tetracis
Slant-Lines
Tetracis is a genus of geometrid moths in the subfamily Ennominae, established by Achille Guenée in 1858. The genus was revised taxonomically in 2010, when Synaxis was synonymized with Tetracis and three new western North American species were described. It currently comprises 13 recognized North American species. The common name 'Slant-Lines' refers to characteristic wing patterns visible in many species.
Tholerini
Tholerini is a tribe of noctuid moths within the subfamily Noctuinae, established by Beck in 1996. The tribe contains multiple genera of medium-sized moths that are primarily nocturnal. Members of this tribe are distributed across various regions, with substantial observation records indicating ecological significance in temperate and subtropical zones. The group is taxonomically stable and recognized in major lepidopteran classifications.
Thyatirinae
False Owlet Moths
Thyatirinae, commonly known as false owlet moths, comprises approximately 200 described species within the family Drepanidae. Historically treated as a separate family Thyatiridae, this subfamily has undergone significant taxonomic revision. The group exhibits notable morphological diversity, with some species displaying complex bark-mimicking patterns for camouflage. Afrotropical representatives have been subject to recent taxonomic review, including the establishment of new genera and elevation of subspecific taxa.
Thyraylia
Thyraylia is a genus of tortricid moths in the tribe Cochylini, subfamily Tortricinae. The genus was established by Walsingham in 1897. Species in this genus are small to medium-sized moths with the characteristic bell-shaped resting posture typical of many tortricids. The genus has been recorded from northern Europe and North America.