Moths
Guides
Thyris
window-winged moths
Thyris is a genus of window-winged moths in the family Thyrididae, characterized by distinctive square or rectangular translucent spots in their wings that give the group its common name. These small, often diurnal moths are primarily pantropical in distribution, with approximately 12 species known from North America among over 760 species worldwide. The genus includes species such as Thyris maculata, which ranges widely across North America from Ontario to Georgia, Texas, and west to Colorado, Idaho, and Montana. Adults typically fly between March and October, with peak activity in May through July.
Toxocampinae
Toxocampinae is a subfamily of moths within the family Erebidae, superfamily Noctuoidea. The subfamily was previously classified as the tribe Toxocampini within the former subfamily Catocalinae, but phylogenetic analysis supports its recognition as a distinct subfamily outside the Erebinae (formerly Catocalinae). Males possess a primitive form of genital claspers resembling those found in some Noctuidae subfamilies. The subfamily includes approximately 200 species across six genera, with the genus Lygephila being among the most studied.
Toxonprucha
cruel toxonprucha moth, spotted toxonprucha moth, bird toxonprucha
Toxonprucha is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Erebinae, containing approximately 13 described species. The genus was established by Heinrich Benno Möschler in 1890. Species are distributed across the southwestern United States (primarily Arizona), Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Several species have received common names, including the 'cruel toxonprucha moth' (T. crudelis), 'spotted toxonprucha moth' (T. pardalis), and 'bird toxonprucha' (T. volucris).
Trichocosmia
Trichocosmia is a monotypic genus of owlet moths (Noctuidae) established by Grote in 1883. The genus contains a single species, Trichocosmia inornata, which occurs in the southwestern United States. The genus is classified within the subfamily Noctuinae and tribe Hadenini.
Tricholita
Tricholita is a genus of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Grote in 1875. The genus comprises approximately ten described species distributed in North America. Species were described between 1860 and 2009, with several additions by Barnes, Grote, and more recently Crabo & Lafontaine.
Trichoplastini
Trichoplastini is a tribe of tortricid moths within the subfamily Tortricinae. The tribe includes relatively small, often inconspicuously colored moths. Members of this tribe are primarily distributed in the Neotropical region. The group has received limited taxonomic study compared to more economically important tortricid tribes.
Trichopolia
Trichopolia is a genus of owlet moths (family Noctuidae) established by Grote in 1883. The genus contains two recognized species: Trichopolia dentatella and Trichopolia suspicionis. It is classified within the subfamily Noctuinae and tribe Eriopygini. The genus has accumulated over 6,000 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is relatively well-encountered by naturalists.
Trichopterygini
Trichopterygini is a tribe of geometer moths in the subfamily Larentiinae. Australian members include three genera (Episteira, Tympanota, and Sauris) with 14 recognized species, eight of which were described as new in a 1980 revision. The tribe occurs in the Oriental Region, Pacific islands, and Australia, with a predominantly eastern and northern distribution on the Australian mainland. No species are known from Tasmania.
Tripudia
Tripudia is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Eustrotiinae. The genus was erected by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1877. It contains approximately 50 described species distributed primarily in the Americas, with most species described by Harrison G. Dyar in the early 20th century. The genus remains taxonomically active, with new species described as recently as 2009.
Trischistognatha
Trischistognatha is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Evergestinae. The genus was established by Warren in 1892. It contains five described species distributed in the Neotropical region.
Truncaptera
Truncaptera is a genus of moths in the family Notodontidae, subfamily Stauropinae, established by Becker in 2014. The genus belongs to the diverse superfamily Noctuoidea, a large group of moth species commonly known as owlet moths and their relatives. As a recently described genus, it represents a taxonomic refinement within the Notodontidae, a family characterized by prominent moths often with distinctive resting postures and reduced mouthparts in adults. The genus is part of the Neotropical fauna, though specific species-level diversity and ecological details remain limited in published literature.
Tulsa
Tulsa is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. It was described by Carl Heinrich in 1956. The genus belongs to the diverse Pyraloidea superfamily, which includes many economically important moth species. Very little specific information is available about the biology or ecology of Tulsa species.
Uraniidae
Swallowtail Moths, Sunset Moths
Uraniidae is a family of moths in the order Lepidoptera, comprising approximately 700 species across 90 genera and four subfamilies. The family exhibits striking diversity in appearance and behavior: diurnal species are often brightly colored with iridescent scales and tail-like hindwing extensions, while nocturnal species are typically small and pale. Uraniidae are distributed throughout tropical regions of the Americas, Africa, and Indo-Australia. The family is closely related to Geometridae but distinguished by unique wing venation patterns. Some species, notably in the genus Chrysiridia, are known as 'sunset moths' and are apparently toxic, with aposematic coloration serving as predator warnings.
Urodus
Urodus is a genus of moths in the family Urodidae, established by Herrich-Schäffer in 1854. The genus includes species commonly known as webworms, with larvae that construct silk webs on host plants. The best-known species, Urodus parvula (Bumelia Webworm), feeds on Bumelia (Sideroxylon) species. The family Urodidae was previously placed in Yponomeutidae but is now recognized as a distinct lineage within Lepidoptera.
Urola
Urola is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, first described by Francis Walker in 1863. The genus is currently treated as a synonym of Argyria, though it remains in active use in some databases and taxonomic sources. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized pyraloid moths, part of the diverse grass moth group within Crambidae.
Vaxi
Vaxi is a genus of snout moths in the family Crambidae, established by Bleszynski in 1962. The genus contains five described species distributed in North America. Species in this genus are small moths associated with grassland and agricultural habitats.
Wockia
Wockia is a genus of small, dull gray moths in the family Urodidae, containing approximately 10 described species. The genus has a broad geographic distribution spanning the Holarctic region, East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and Central America. Larval development is rapid, with some species completing development from egg to adult in approximately four weeks, enabling multiple generations per year.
Xanthopastis
Spanish moth
Xanthopastis is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Hübner in 1821. The genus contains at least three described species, including Xanthopastis timais, commonly known as the Spanish moth. Members of this genus are notable for their association with ornamental plants and their role as hosts for parasitoid flies. The Spanish moth has been documented as a pest of amaryllis cultivation.
Xanthothrix
Xanthothrix is a genus of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae, erected by Henry Edwards in 1878. The genus contains four described species distributed across western North America and the eastern Mediterranean region. Two species are endemic to California, with one restricted to the Mojave Desert. The genus belongs to the subfamily Stiriinae, a group of generally small, often boldly patterned noctuid moths.
Xanthotype
Crocus Geometer Moths
Xanthotype is a genus of geometrid moths in the subfamily Ennominae, containing five described species distributed in North America. The genus was established by Warren in 1894. Species are commonly known as crocus geometer moths, though they cannot be reliably identified to species from photographs alone. The genus includes the well-known crocus geometer (Xanthotype sospeta), described by Drury in 1773, and several species described by Swett in 1918.
Xylenini
Xylenini is a tribe of moths within the family Noctuidae, established by Guenée in 1837. The tribe comprises approximately 13 recognized genera including Lithophane, Xylena, and Xanthia. Taxonomic placement remains disputed, with some authorities placing these genera in subfamily Cuculliinae or recognizing them as a distinct subfamily Xyleninae. Members are commonly known as pinions and sallows.
Xylesthia
Xylesthia is a genus of small moths in the family Tineidae, established by Clemens in 1859. The genus contains at least four described species distributed in North America. Tineidae moths are commonly known as clothes moths or fungus moths, though the specific habits of Xylesthia species remain poorly documented in published literature.
Ypsolopha
Ypsolopha is a genus of micromoths comprising over 120 described species, representing approximately 95% of the family Ypsolophidae's known world diversity. The genus is primarily Holarctic in distribution, with the majority of species recorded from temperate regions. Species exhibit considerable variation in external morphology, though male and female genitalia are remarkably homogeneous across the genus. Adults are predominantly nocturnal and display a distinctive resting posture with the head lowered and posterior body elevated.
Zale
Zale Moths
Zale is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, established by Hübner in 1818. The genus contains numerous species of owlet moths distributed primarily in North America. Larvae of several Zale species are known hosts for parasitoid wasps, including the sphecid wasp Ammophila nigricans. The genus is taxonomically well-established but individual species-level biology remains incompletely documented for many members.
Zelleria
Zelleria is a genus of micro-moths in the family Yponomeutidae, comprising approximately 60 described species distributed across Europe, Asia, and North America. The genus was established by Stainton in 1849. Species vary in host plant associations, with some specializing on ash (Fraxinus), pine (Pinus), or other woody plants. Larval habits include leaf mining and needle-sheath mining in conifers.
Zenophleps
Zenophleps
Zenophleps is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, first described by George Duryea Hulst in 1896. The genus belongs to the subfamily Larentiinae and contains four recognized species distributed in North America. These moths are part of the diverse geometrid lineage commonly known as inchworms or loopers, though specific biological details for most Zenophleps species remain poorly documented.