Noctuidae

Guides

  • Enargia decolor

    Pale Enargia, Aspen Twoleaf Tier Moth

    A noctuid moth with boreal-transcontinental distribution across North America, primarily associated with trembling aspen and related poplar species. Adults are active in late summer, with larvae capable of reaching outbreak densities that cause extensive defoliation of host stands. The species shows a disjunct western distribution pattern that may represent cryptic diversity.

  • Enargia fausta

    Etched Sallow

    Enargia fausta is a noctuid moth described by Schmidt in 2010. It is restricted to the boreal forest and boreal-deciduous forest transition zone of North America, ranging from central Alberta to New Brunswick with eastern records extending to the Ottawa River Valley. The species was long confused with Enargia infumata due to morphological similarity but differs in its more limited geographic distribution, lacking the Rocky Mountain and northern extensions of that species. Adults are active in late summer, and larvae feed on specific hardwood tree species.

  • Enargia infumata

    Smoked Sallow, Lesser Eyed Sallow

    Enargia infumata is a noctuid moth known by the common names Smoked Sallow and Lesser Eyed Sallow. It occurs across northern and western North America, with populations extending from Alaska and eastern Canada south to California and Utah. The species has a single annual generation, with adults active during summer months. Larvae feed on leaves of Populus and potentially other woody plants in the willow family.

  • Enigmogramma

    Enigmogramma is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Plusiinae, tribe Argyrogrammatini. The genus was established by Lafontaine and Poole in 1991 and contains six described species distributed across the Americas. Members of this genus are part of the diverse owlet moth fauna, though specific ecological and biological details remain poorly documented in published literature.

  • Enigmogramma antillea

    Enigmogramma antillea is a noctuid moth described by Becker in 2001. It is known from Cuba and Puerto Rico, with a single documented specimen collected in Collier County, Florida in 2012 representing a vagrant or potential range extension. The species is characterized by relatively small forewings measuring 14–16 mm, with distinctive coloration useful for identification.

  • Enigmogramma basigera

    Pink-washed Looper, Pink-washed Looper Moth

    Enigmogramma basigera, commonly known as the pink-washed looper, is a noctuid moth first described by Francis Walker in 1865. It is a relatively small moth with a wingspan of 28–33 mm. The species is notable for its limited larval records—only two specimens have been documented, both reared on Hydrocotyle umbellata. It belongs to the subfamily Plusiinae, a group often referred to as loopers due to their characteristic looping locomotion as caterpillars.

  • Eosphoropteryx

    Eosphoropteryx is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Plusiinae, established by Dyar in 1902. The genus contains a single described species, Eosphoropteryx thyatyroides. It belongs to the tribe Plusiini, a group of owlet moths commonly known as loopers or plusiines. Records indicate occurrence in the northeastern United States.

  • Epidemas cinerea

    cutworm, dart moth

    Epidemas cinerea is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It is found in North America. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10002. Very little specific information is available about its biology or ecology.

  • Epiglaea

    Epiglaea is a small genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Noctuinae. It contains two described species: Epiglaea apiata and Epiglaea decliva. The genus was established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1878. Both species were described by Grote in 1874, prior to the genus designation.

  • Eriopyga

    Eriopyga is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Achille Guenée in 1852. The genus belongs to the tribe Eriopygini within the subfamily Noctuinae. One former species, Eriopyga iole, has been reclassified to the genus Pseudorthodes. The genus contains multiple species, though specific diversity and ecological details remain incompletely documented.

  • Eriopygini

    Eriopygini is a tribe of small-bodied moths within the subfamily Noctuinae (family Noctuidae). The tribe was formally established by Fibiger and Lafontaine in 2005, reclassified from its former placement in Hadeninae. It contains approximately 20 recognized genera distributed primarily in North America.

  • Escaria

    Escaria is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, containing two described species: E. clauda and E. homogena. The genus was established by Grote in 1882 and is classified within the subfamily Noctuinae and tribe Hadenini. Both species are native to North America. The genus is rarely encountered, with minimal observational records available.

  • Escaria clauda

    Escaria clauda is a moth species in the family Noctuidae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1883. It belongs to the subfamily Noctuinae and tribe Hadenini. The genus Escaria is small and poorly documented, with limited published information on its biology. Available records indicate a North American distribution.

  • Euamiana

    Euamiana is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Noctuinae. The genus was erected by William Barnes and Foster Hendrickson Benjamin in 1927. It contains five described species distributed in North America. The genus is placed within the diverse owlet moth family, one of the largest families of Lepidoptera.

  • Euamiana adusta

    Euamiana adusta is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae. It was described by Blanchard and Knudson in 1986. The species is known from North America and has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 9807.1. Information regarding its biology and ecology remains limited.

  • Euamiana contrasta

    Euamiana contrasta is a noctuid moth species described in 1910 by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough. Originally described under the genus Perigea, it was later transferred to Euamiana. The species is recorded from North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9807. Like other members of the subfamily Noctuinae, it is a nocturnal moth with adults active during warmer months.

  • Euamiana endopolia

    Euamiana endopolia is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae. It was described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1912. The species is known from North America and has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 9806.1. Available records indicate it is rarely encountered, with limited observational data.

  • Euamiana torniplaga

    Euamiana torniplaga is a noctuid moth species described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1916. It belongs to the genus Euamiana, a small group within the subfamily Noctuinae. The species was originally described under the basionym Nocloa torniplaga before being transferred to Euamiana. Very few observations exist in public databases, suggesting it is either rare, poorly sampled, or restricted to specific habitats.

  • Euchalcia albavitta

    Euchalcia albavitta is a species of looper moth in the family Noctuidae. It was first described by Ottolengui in 1902 under the basionym Autographa albavitta. The species is found in North America and has been assigned the Hodges number 8903. It is classified within the subfamily Plusiinae, a group commonly known as loopers due to their characteristic looping larval locomotion.

  • Eucirroedia pampina

    Scalloped Sallow

    Eucirroedia pampina, commonly known as the scalloped sallow, is a moth in the family Noctuidae. It is widely distributed across eastern and central North America, with adults active from late summer through early winter. The species is recognized by its distinctive scalloped wing margins and moderate size. Larvae are known to feed on the leaves of several hardwood tree species.

  • Eucoptocnemis

    Eucoptocnemis is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Noctuinae. The genus was established by Grote in 1874 and contains at least six recognized species distributed in North America. Species within this genus are part of the diverse noctuid moth fauna, with some species historically classified under related genera such as Agrotis.

  • Eucoptocnemis canescens

    Eucoptocnemis canescens is a moth species in the family Noctuidae, described by Lafontaine in 2004. It belongs to a genus of noctuid moths found in North America. Very little published information exists regarding its biology, appearance, or ecology. The species name 'canescens' refers to a grayish or hoary coloration, suggesting the adult may exhibit dull grayish tones typical of many noctuid species.

  • Eucoptocnemis dapsilis

    cutworm moth, dart moth

    Eucoptocnemis dapsilis is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae, originally described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1882 under the name Agrotis dapsilis. It belongs to a group commonly known as cutworms or dart moths. The species is recorded from North America and has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 10696. Like other noctuids in this genus, it is presumed to be nocturnal, though specific behavioral details remain poorly documented.

  • Eucoptocnemis dollii

    Doll's cutworm moth, Doll's dart moth

    Eucoptocnemis dollii is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, originally described by Grote in 1882 under the genus Agrotis before being transferred to Eucoptocnemis. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10643. Adults are characterized by relatively plain, grayish-brown forewings with minimal pattern contrast and white hindwings with gray venation. The species occurs in North America, though specific details regarding its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in available literature.

  • Eucoptocnemis nr-rufula

    Eucoptocnemis nr-rufula is a near-rufula specimen of the genus Eucoptocnemis, a group of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae. The 'nr-' designation indicates this is a morphospecies or provisional identification closely resembling E. rufula but not definitively confirmed to that species. Members of this genus are generally associated with grassland and prairie habitats. Detailed biological information for this specific provisional taxon is limited.

  • Eucoptocnemis rufula

    cutworm moth, dart moth

    Eucoptocnemis rufula is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It was described by Lafontaine in 2004. The species is found in North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10696.1. As a member of the genus Eucoptocnemis, it belongs to a group of moths commonly known as cutworms.

  • Eudryas

    Eudryas is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Agaristinae, established by Boisduval in 1836. The genus contains three recognized species, including the well-known beautiful wood nymph (Eudryas grata) and pearly wood nymph (Eudryas unio). These moths are characterized by their distinctive wing patterns and are found in North America.

  • Eudryas grata

    Beautiful Wood-nymph

    Eudryas grata, commonly known as the beautiful wood-nymph, is a moth species in the family Noctuidae. Adults are notable for their remarkable mimicry of bird droppings, a defensive adaptation that deters visually-oriented predators. The species ranges across eastern North America, with caterpillars feeding on several plant species in the grape family (Vitaceae).

  • Eudryas unio

    Pearly Wood-nymph

    Eudryas unio, the pearly wood-nymph, is a noctuid moth native to eastern North America. Adults are active from May through August and have a wingspan of 26–35 mm. The species was historically confused with Eudryas brevipennis, but genitalia differences in both sexes confirm their separation. Isolated populations occur in central Utah and California, with the California population potentially representing a distinct subspecies.

  • Eueretagrotis perattentus

    Two-spotted Dart, Two-spot Dart

    Eueretagrotis perattentus is a noctuid moth distributed across central and southern Canada and the northern United States, with disjunct populations along the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains. Adults are active in early summer with a wingspan of approximately 32 mm. Larvae have been documented feeding on Vaccinium and Prunus pennsylvanica.

  • Eueretagrotis sigmoides

    Sigmoid Dart

    Eueretagrotis sigmoides, commonly known as the Sigmoid Dart, is a noctuid moth native to eastern North America. The species has a wingspan of approximately 40 mm. Adults are active during the summer months, primarily June and July. Recent records indicate range expansion into North Carolina and Tennessee.

  • Eulithosia

    Eulithosia is a genus of noctuid moths erected by Henry Edwards in 1884. The genus contains five described species distributed in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Taxonomic status remains contested, with some authorities treating it as a synonym of Antaplaga or Cirrhophanus, while others maintain it as valid. Species occur in arid and semi-arid regions of Arizona, California, Texas, Nevada, New Mexico, and northern Mexico.

  • Eulithosia composita

    Eulithosia composita is a moth species in the family Noctuidae, first described by Henry Edwards in 1884. It belongs to the subfamily Stiriinae and tribe Stiriini. The species is known from limited records in the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and western Texas. Information regarding its biology, ecology, and life history remains sparse.

  • Eulithosia discistriga

    Eulithosia discistriga is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Smith in 1903. It belongs to the subfamily Stiriinae, a group of small to medium-sized moths often associated with rocky or arid habitats. The species has been documented in citizen science platforms with approximately 70 observations. Its taxonomic placement has been subject to revision, with some sources listing it under the genus Antaplaga.

  • Eupsilia cirripalea

    Franclemont's Sallow

    Eupsilia cirripalea, known as Franclemont's Sallow, is a moth species in the family Noctuidae described by John G. Franclemont in 1952. It belongs to the cutworm or dart moth group within the subfamily Noctuinae. The species is found in North America and has been assigned Hodges number 9934 in the North American moth numbering system.

  • Eupsilia fringata

    Eupsilia fringata is a noctuid moth species described in 1916 from North America. It belongs to the dart moth group within the family Noctuidae. The species is recognized by Hodges number 9938.

  • Eupsilia morrisoni

    Morrison's Sallow

    Eupsilia morrisoni, commonly known as Morrison's sallow, is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It is found in North America. The species was described by Grote in 1874 and has been assigned the MONA/Hodges number 9936.

  • Eupsilia schweitzeri

    Schweitzer's Sallow

    Eupsilia schweitzeri is a moth species in the family Noctuidae, described in 2016 from the northeastern United States. It belongs to the sallow moth genus Eupsilia, which are medium-sized noctuid moths active during late fall, winter, and early spring. The species was named in honor of entomologist Dale F. Schweitzer. Like other members of its genus, it is likely a cold-season active adult with larvae feeding on woody plants.

  • Eupsilia sidus

    Barrens Sallow, Sidus Sallow

    Eupsilia sidus, known as the Barrens Sallow or Sidus Sallow, is a species of cutworm moth in the family Noctuidae. It is native to North America, with documented records from Manitoba and Saskatchewan in Canada. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9933.1. It belongs to the genus Eupsilia, a group of moths commonly referred to as sallows.

  • Eupsilia tristigmata

    Three-spotted Sallow, Brown Fruitworm

    Eupsilia tristigmata is a noctuid moth native to North America, commonly known as the Three-spotted Sallow or Brown Fruitworm. It belongs to the subfamily Noctuinae and tribe Xylenini. The species is documented across Canada and the northern United States, with over 1,000 iNaturalist observations. It is designated MONA/Hodges number 9935.

  • Eurois

    A genus of noctuid moths established by Jacob Hübner in 1821. The genus includes approximately six recognized species distributed across the Holarctic region. Adults are characterized by distinctive morphological features including naked eyes without eyelashes, well-developed proboscis, and upturned palpi reaching the vertex of the head.

  • Eurois astricta

    Great Brown Dart

    Eurois astricta, commonly known as the great brown dart, is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It was first described by Herbert Knowles Morrison in 1874. The species is found in North America and includes two recognized subspecies.

  • Eurois nigra

    Great Black Dart, Great Black Dart Moth

    Eurois nigra is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Smith in 1892. It is known from North America, with records from Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada. The species has two recognized subspecies: E. n. nigra and E. n. argni.

  • Eurois occulta

    Great Brocade, Great Gray Dart

    Eurois occulta, commonly known as the Great Brocade or Great Gray Dart, is a medium-sized noctuid moth with a Holarctic distribution spanning northern Europe, Asia, and North America. Adults display distinctive gray forewings with bold black-and-white patterning and a wingspan of 50–60 mm. The species exhibits notable color polymorphism, including a nearly black mountain form (f. implicata) found in Finland, Germany, and Scotland. Larvae feed on various woody and herbaceous plants including Vaccinium, birch, and willow.

  • Euros

    Euros is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Edwards in 1881. The genus belongs to the subfamily Noctuinae, one of the largest and most diverse groups within the owlet moth family. Members of this genus are part of the rich Australian moth fauna, with the type species and related taxa occurring in various habitats across the continent.

  • Euros proprius

    Euros proprius is a small noctuid moth described by Henry Edwards in 1881. It is the most distinctive species within the Euros genus, characterized by its restricted range in the northern Sierra Nevada of California and specific association with riparian habitats in dry forest ecosystems. The species has a documented larval host relationship with Paeonia brownii.

  • Eusceptis

    bird dropping moths

    Eusceptis is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, commonly referred to as bird dropping moths. The genus was established by Hübner in 1823 and currently contains eleven described species distributed in the Americas. Its taxonomic status has been debated, with some authors treating it as a synonym of Acontia, though it is currently maintained as a distinct genus pending further research. The common name reflects the resemblance of some species to bird droppings, a form of protective camouflage.

  • Eusceptis flavifrimbriata

    Eusceptis flavifrimbriata is a noctuid moth described by Todd in 1971. It belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae, a group of small to medium-sized moths often with distinctive wing patterns. The species is known from Mexico and has been documented in North America. Beyond these basic taxonomic and distributional facts, little detailed biological information has been published.

  • Euscirrhopterus

    purslane moth

    Euscirrhopterus is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Agaristinae. The genus contains six described species distributed in North America, with the best-known being Euscirrhopterus gloveri, commonly called the purslane moth. Larvae of E. gloveri feed on plants in the portulacaceous family, particularly Portulaca species. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. Some species exhibit a startle defense behavior, flashing brightly colored hindwings when disturbed.

  • Euscirrhopterus gloveri

    Purslane Moth

    Euscirrhopterus gloveri, commonly known as the purslane moth, is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae. First described by Grote and Robinson in 1868, it is native to North America. The species is notable for its distinctive wing patterning and association with portulacaceous host plants. Larvae have been documented in outbreak numbers on purslane relatives.