Noctuidae
Guides
Lacinipolia anguina
Snaky Arches Moth, snaky arches
Lacinipolia anguina is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as the Snaky Arches Moth. It belongs to a genus of cutworm or dart moths, though specific biological details for this species remain limited. The species was described by Grote in 1881 and occurs across North America.
Lacinipolia basiplaga
cutworm moth, dart moth
Lacinipolia basiplaga is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Smith in 1905. It belongs to the cutworm or dart moth group, a common name referring to the soil-dwelling caterpillars that cut through plant stems at ground level. The species is found in North America. Adults are attracted to light and are among the larger moths in the genus Lacinipolia. Species-level identification within this genus typically requires examination of genitalia or other microscopic features, as visual appearance alone is insufficient.
Lacinipolia circumcincta
cutworm moth, dart moth
Lacinipolia circumcincta is a noctuid moth species native to North America, originally described by Smith in 1891. As a member of the cutworm moth group, adults are attracted to ultraviolet light sources and are active during summer months. The species is part of a genus whose members are difficult to distinguish visually from one another.
Lacinipolia comis
cutworm moth, dart moth
Lacinipolia comis is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as a cutworm or dart moth. It was first described by Grote in 1876. The species is found in North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10408. Like other members of the genus Lacinipolia, adults are nocturnal and attracted to lights.
Lacinipolia consimilis
cutworm moth, dart moth
Lacinipolia consimilis is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by McDunnough in 1937. It belongs to the genus Lacinipolia, commonly known as cutworm or dart moths. The species is distributed in North America. As with many Lacinipolia species, visual identification to species level is challenging and typically requires examination of genitalia.
Lacinipolia cuneata
Cuneate Arches Moth
Lacinipolia cuneata, commonly known as the Cuneate Arches Moth, is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae. It is found in North America and is one of several larger Lacinipolia species that can be attracted to blacklights. The species was originally described as Mamestra cuneata by Grote in 1873. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10371.
Lacinipolia davena
red-spot polia, Red-spot Polia Moth
Lacinipolia davena is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as the red-spot polia. It is one of the larger moths in the genus Lacinipolia, which are frequently attracted to blacklights at night. The species was first described by Smith in 1901. Adults are difficult to distinguish from other Lacinipolia species by appearance alone.
Lacinipolia explicata
Explicit Arches Moth, Explicit Arches
Lacinipolia explicata, commonly known as the Explicit Arches Moth, is a small noctuid moth native to the southeastern United States. Adults have a wingspan of 28–30 mm and are active in two generations per year, appearing in April and September. The species is bivoltine, with larvae feeding on specific herbaceous plants including clovers and dandelion.
Lacinipolia incurva
Lacinipolia incurva is a small owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by John B. Smith in 1888. The species is restricted to the southwestern United States and adjacent regions of Mexico, with records from California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Colorado. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 25 mm. The larvae are known to feed on dead leaves of Quercus hypoleucoides (silverleaf oak), indicating a detritivorous or saprophagous feeding strategy rather than typical herbivory on living plant tissue.
Lacinipolia laudabilis
Laudable Arches Moth, Laudable Arches
Lacinipolia laudabilis, commonly known as the Laudable Arches Moth, is a small noctuid moth with a wingspan of 20–28 mm. Adults are active year-round and are attracted to light. The species exhibits color variation, with individuals ranging from mottled gray with reflective wing scales to green coloration. The larvae feed on herbaceous plants. The species is native to North and Central America but has been recorded in Great Britain, likely through accidental importation or rare immigration.
Lacinipolia lepidula
cutworm moth, dart moth
Lacinipolia lepidula is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as cutworm or dart moths. The species was first described by Smith in 1888 under the basionym Mamestra lepidula. It is one of numerous species in the genus Lacinipolia, a group of medium-sized noctuid moths found primarily in North America. Species in this genus are often difficult to distinguish from one another by external appearance alone.
Lacinipolia leucogramma
cutworm, dart moth
Lacinipolia leucogramma is a noctuid moth species found in North America. It is one of several species in the genus Lacinipolia that are difficult to distinguish visually. Adults are attracted to blacklights and are active during summer months. The species was first described by Grote in 1873 under the name Mamestra leucogramma.
Lacinipolia longiclava
cutworm moth, dart moth
Lacinipolia longiclava is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as a cutworm or dart moth. It is one of approximately 100 species in the genus Lacinipolia, which are primarily distributed across North America. The species was originally described by Smith in 1891 under the basionym Mamestra longiclava. Like other members of its genus, adults are attracted to light and are difficult to distinguish from congeners based on external appearance alone.
Lacinipolia lorea
bridled arches, Bridled Arches Moth
Lacinipolia lorea, commonly known as the bridled arches or Bridled Arches Moth, is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae. It is found across North America, with records from Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) and the United States (Vermont). The species is one of several in the genus Lacinipolia that are difficult to distinguish by appearance alone. It has been observed at blacklight traps during summer moth surveys.
Lacinipolia lustralis
Lustrous Arches
Lacinipolia lustralis is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as the Lustrous Arches. It is found in North America, with records from Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) and the United States (Vermont). Like other members of the genus Lacinipolia, it is nocturnal and attracted to lights. The species was originally described by Grote in 1875 under the basionym Dianthoecia lustralis.
Lacinipolia marinitincta
cutworm moth, dart moth
Lacinipolia marinitincta is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Harvey in 1875. It belongs to the genus Lacinipolia, which contains medium-sized owlet moths that are often difficult to distinguish visually at the species level. The species is known from North America, with observations documented in the western United States including Colorado. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light sources.
Lacinipolia martini
cutworm moth, dart moth
Lacinipolia martini is a noctuid moth species described in 2001 by Selman & Leuschner. It belongs to the owlet moth genus Lacinipolia, a group whose members are difficult to distinguish by external appearance alone. The species occurs in North America and is attracted to blacklights, with adults active during summer months. Like other Lacinipolia species, it is presumed to have a larval stage that functions as a cutworm, though specific life history details remain poorly documented.
Lacinipolia meditata
Thinker Moth
Lacinipolia meditata, commonly known as the thinker moth, is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae. It is a medium-sized nocturnal moth found across North America. Adults are attracted to ultraviolet light sources, a common trait among noctuid moths. The species is part of a genus whose members can be difficult to distinguish visually without close examination.
Lacinipolia mimula
Lacinipolia mimula is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Grote in 1883. It is part of the owlet moth genus Lacinipolia, which contains numerous similar species that are difficult to distinguish by appearance alone. The species has been recorded in North America. Like other members of its genus, adults are nocturnal and attracted to light sources.
Lacinipolia olivacea
olive arches, Olive Arches Moth
Lacinipolia olivacea is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It occurs in North America with confirmed records from Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) and the United States (Vermont). The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10406.
Lacinipolia patalis
Lacinipolia patalis is a species of owlet moth (family Noctuidae) found in North America. It was described by Grote in 1873, originally placed in the genus Xylomiges. The species is part of the subfamily Noctuinae and tribe Eriopygini. Like other members of its genus, it is nocturnal and attracted to lights.
Lacinipolia pensilis
Lacinipolia pensilis is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, distributed across the western cordilleran region of North America. Adults are active from August to September and are attracted to lights. The species can be distinguished from close relatives by its well-defined forewing markings and richer brown coloration. Larvae are thought to be ground-dwelling generalist feeders on shrubs and herbs.
Lacinipolia quadrilineata
Four-lined Arches
Lacinipolia quadrilineata is a species of owlet moth (Noctuidae) commonly known as the Four-lined Arches. First described by Grote in 1873 from the basionym Mamestra quadrilineata, this moth occurs across North America. The genus Lacinipolia belongs to the tribe Eriopygini within the subfamily Noctuinae. Adults are attracted to lights at night and are active during the summer months.
Lacinipolia sharonae
Sharon's Cutworm, Sharon's Dart
Lacinipolia sharonae is a species of cutworm moth in the family Noctuidae, described in 2001. It is part of the diverse owlet moth genus Lacinipolia, which contains numerous similar-looking species that are difficult to distinguish without close examination. The species is found in North America and has been assigned the MONA/Hodges number 10406.3. Like other members of its genus, adults are nocturnal and attracted to light.
Lacinipolia spiculosa
Lacinipolia spiculosa is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Grote in 1883. It is found in North America and is one of several larger owlet moths in the genus Lacinipolia that are attracted to blacklights at night. Species in this genus are difficult to distinguish from one another by appearance alone.
Lacinipolia stenotis
cutworm moth, dart moth
Lacinipolia stenotis is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Hampson in 1905. It belongs to a genus of cutworm or dart moths found in North America. The species is part of the diverse Noctuinae subfamily, which contains many nocturnal moths attracted to light. Like other members of its genus, it cannot be reliably identified to species by appearance alone.
Lacinipolia strigicollis
Collared Arches Moth
Lacinipolia strigicollis, commonly known as the collared arches moth, is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. The species was described by Wallengren in 1860 and is found in North America. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10415. The genus Lacinipolia contains multiple species that are difficult to distinguish visually without close examination.
Lacinipolia umbrosa
Lacinipolia umbrosa is an owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, native to North America. Like other members of the genus Lacinipolia, adults are nocturnal and attracted to light sources. The species was described by Smith in 1888 and is accepted as valid in current taxonomy. Available information on this species is limited, with few documented observations in public databases.
Lacinipolia vicina
Vicina Dart
Lacinipolia vicina is a small owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as the Vicina Dart. It is found in the eastern United States, with records from Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey, and possibly Indiana. The species has two generations per year, with adults active in spring and fall. The larvae are believed to be polyphagous ground dwellers.
Lacinipolia viridifera
Green Owlet Moth
Lacinipolia viridifera is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1937. The species is characterized by green coloration in at least some individuals, distinguishing it from the typically gray or mottled congeners in the genus Lacinipolia. Like other members of this genus, it is nocturnal and attracted to light sources. The specific epithet 'viridifera' refers to the green coloration ('viridis' = green, 'fero' = bearing).
Lacinipolia vittula
cutworm moth, dart moth
Lacinipolia vittula is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as cutworm or dart moths. The species was described by Grote in 1882 and occurs in North America. Like other members of its genus, adults are attracted to lights at night and exhibit variable coloration, with some individuals appearing mottled gray with reflective wing scales and others green.
Lasionycta benjamini
Lasionycta benjamini is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Hill in 1927. It belongs to the genus Lasionycta, which was revised in 2009 with keys and descriptions published for 43 species including this one. The species is known from mountainous regions in the western United States.
Lasionycta caesia
Lasionycta caesia is a noctuid moth restricted to high-elevation alpine habitats in the Pacific Northwest. It was described in 2009 as part of a comprehensive revision of the genus Lasionycta. The species occurs exclusively in rocky alpine tundra near tree line in the Cascade Mountains of northern Washington and the British Columbia Coast Range, extending north to 58° latitude. Adults are active for a brief period from mid-July to mid-August.
Lasionycta coloradensis
Lasionycta coloradensis is a noctuid moth described by Richards in 1943. The species is endemic to the Rocky Mountains of western North America, with confirmed records from the Montana-Wyoming border south to New Mexico. It was among the 43 species treated in the comprehensive 2009 revision of the genus Lasionycta.
Lasionycta fergusoni
Lasionycta fergusoni is a nocturnal moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Crabo & Lafontaine in 2009. It inhabits subalpine forests across the Pacific Northwest and western Canada, from southern Washington through British Columbia and Alberta to southern Yukon. Adults are active from late June to mid-August. The species is part of a genus revision that described 17 new North American species.
Lasionycta leucocycla
Lasionycta leucocycla is a noctuid moth with a broad Holarctic distribution spanning Scandinavia, Siberia, and northern North America. Adults are active from June to July and have been observed feeding on nectar from specific flowering plants. The species exhibits notable subspecific variation across its range, with multiple described subspecies, some of which may represent distinct species.
Lasionycta luteola
Lasionycta luteola is a small noctuid moth with a wingspan of approximately 27 mm. It inhabits alpine tundra environments in northwestern North America, ranging from northern Washington and southwestern Alberta northward to southwestern Yukon. Adults are active from mid-July to mid-August and exhibit a distinctive activity pattern: while predominantly nocturnal, they also fly during daylight hours. The species has been observed feeding on nectar of Silene acaulis, a cushion-forming alpine plant.
Lasionycta mono
Lasionycta mono is a species of noctuid moth described in 2009 by Crabo and Lafontaine. The species is known exclusively from its type locality in the Sierra Nevada of California. With a wingspan of approximately 26 mm, it represents a poorly documented member of a genus that underwent significant revision in 2009, when 17 new species were described. The specific epithet 'mono' refers to Mono County or the Mono Basin region of California.
Lasionycta poca
Lasionycta poca is a noctuid moth described by Barnes and Benjamin in 1923. It occurs in alpine and subalpine habitats of the Rocky Mountains and Cascade Range in western North America. The species is predominantly found near timberline, with occasional records from adjacent forest habitats. Adults are active from mid-June through August.
Lasionycta uniformis
Lasionycta uniformis is a moth species in the family Noctuidae, first described by Smith in 1893. The species exhibits a disjunct distribution across montane regions of western North America, ranging from southern Yukon to northern California and Colorado, with an isolated eastern population in the Gaspé Peninsula of Quebec. Five subspecies have been recognized, differentiated primarily by geographic range and subtle morphological variation. Adults are active during mid-summer.
Lemmeria digitalis
Fingered Lemmeria Moth
Lemmeria digitalis is a moth species in the family Noctuidae and the sole member of its monotypic genus. First described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1882 under the name Anchocelis digitalis, it was later placed in the genus Lemmeria by William Barnes and Foster Hendrickson Benjamin in 1926. The species is known from the northeastern United States, with confirmed records from Maine and Vermont.
Leucania
wainscot moths
Leucania is a genus of noctuid moths established by Ochsenheimer in 1816, commonly known as wainscot moths. The genus is characterized by distinctive wing venation with veins 8 and 9 anastomosing to form an areole, and vein 7 arising from its terminal end. Several species have been studied as agricultural pests, particularly Leucania loreyi and Leucania separata, which have been documented as hosts for braconid parasitoids. The genus has a broad geographic distribution with numerous species worldwide.
Leucania adjuta
Adjutant Wainscot
Leucania adjuta, the adjutant wainscot, is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It was first described by Grote in 1874 under the basionym Heliophila adjuta. The species is found in North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10456. It belongs to the tribe Leucaniini within the subfamily Noctuinae.
Leucania calidior
cutworm moth, dart moth
Leucania calidior is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Forbes in 1936. It belongs to a genus of moths whose larvae are commonly known as armyworms. The species is recorded from North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10460. Like other Leucania species, it is likely nocturnal as an adult, though specific behavioral details remain poorly documented.
Leucania commoides
Two-lined Wainscot, Comma Wainscot
Leucania commoides is a noctuid moth species found in North America, with records from Canadian provinces and the northern United States. The species is commonly known as the Two-lined Wainscot or Comma Wainscot, referring to characteristic forewing markings. Adults are attracted to light and have been documented in substantial numbers on iNaturalist.
Leucania dia
Leucania dia is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, found in North America. This noctuid moth is part of a large genus of similar species, many of which are challenging to distinguish without close examination. The species was described by Grote in 1879 and is currently recognized as a synonym of Leucania insueta in some taxonomic databases.
Leucania farcta
Meadow Wainscot Moth
Leucania farcta, commonly known as the meadow wainscot moth, is a noctuid moth species described by Grote in 1881. It belongs to the subfamily Noctuinae and tribe Leucaniini. The species is recorded from North America with 423 observations on iNaturalist. Its MONA/Hodges number is 10441.
Leucania imperfecta
cutworm moth, dart moth
Leucania imperfecta is a noctuid moth species described by Smith in 1894. It belongs to the cutworm or dart moth group within the family Noctuidae. The species is recorded from North America and is assigned Hodges number 10452. As a member of the genus Leucania, it shares characteristics with other wainscot moths, though specific biological details remain limited in published literature.
Leucania incognita
Unknown Wainscot
Leucania incognita is a noctuid moth species first described by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1918. It belongs to the cutworm or dart moth group within the family Noctuidae. The species occurs in North America and is known by the common name "Unknown Wainscot." It has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 10450 for North American moth classification.
Leucania inermis
Unarmed Wainscot
Leucania inermis, commonly known as the unarmed wainscot, is a moth species in the family Noctuidae described by Forbes in 1936. It belongs to a genus of cutworm or dart moths distributed across North America. The species is recorded from locations including Manitoba, Canada and Vermont, United States.