Noctuidae
Guides
Opsigalea blanchardi
Opsigalea blanchardi is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Todd in 1966. It is a rarely encountered species with limited published documentation. The genus Opsigalea contains few species and is poorly known relative to other noctuid genera. Available records suggest it occurs in North America, though specific habitat associations and biology remain undocumented in scientific literature.
Orthodes
Orthodes is a genus of noctuid moths established by Guenée in 1852. The genus contains approximately 30 described species, with the majority distributed in North America. Some species extend into the Caribbean and Central America. The genus belongs to the tribe Eriopygini within the subfamily Noctuinae.
Orthodes adiastola
cutworm moth, dart moth
Orthodes adiastola is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Franclemont in 1976. It belongs to the tribe Eriopygini within the subfamily Noctuinae. The species is recorded from North America and has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 10588.
Orthodes bolteri
Orthodes bolteri is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Smith in 1900. The species has been documented at blacklight stations during bioblitz events in Colorado, including at Red Rock Canyon Open Space in 2019. Taxonomic placement has shifted over time, with the species formerly placed in Mamestra and Xestia. It occurs in North America and Middle America.
Orthodes detracta
Disparaged Arches Moth, disparaged arches
Orthodes detracta, commonly known as the Disparaged Arches Moth, is a species of cutworm moth in the family Noctuidae. It is native to North America and has been recorded across Canada and the northern United States. The species is assigned Hodges number 10288 in the North American moth numbering system. Like other members of its genus, it belongs to the diverse noctuid moth fauna of temperate regions.
Orthodes furtiva
Orthodes furtiva is a species of cutworm moth in the family Noctuidae, described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1943. It belongs to the tribe Eriopygini within the subfamily Noctuinae. The species is recorded from North America and is assigned MONA (Moths of North America) Hodges number 10586. As a member of the cutworm moth group, larvae likely exhibit soil-dwelling habits and nocturnal feeding behavior typical of the genus, though specific life history details remain poorly documented.
Orthodes majuscula
Rustic Quaker
Orthodes majuscula, commonly known as the Rustic Quaker, is a noctuid moth described by Herrich-Schäffer in 1868. It is widespread throughout the New World, ranging from eastern North America through Central America to South America. Adults are active from May to August and have a wingspan of 28–35 mm.
Orthodes noverca
cutworm moth, dart moth
Orthodes noverca is a noctuid moth first described by Grote in 1878. It belongs to the cutworm or dart moth group within the family Noctuidae. The species has been recorded from North America and is cataloged under Hodges number 10282. Taxonomic placement has shifted, with some sources listing it under the related genus Homorthodes.
Orthosia
early spring millers
Orthosia is a genus of owlet moths (Noctuidae) established by Ferdinand Ochsenheimer in 1816. Adults are active during winter and early spring, earning the group the common name "early spring millers." The genus includes notable species such as the Hebrew character (O. gothica), the common Quaker (O. cerasi), and the speckled green fruitworm moth (O. hibisci). Species in this genus typically have a single generation per year, with adults emerging from overwintering pupae.
Orthosia alurina
Gray Quaker
Orthosia alurina, commonly known as the gray Quaker, is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae. It occurs in North America, where adults are active in early spring. The species was originally described as Taeniocampa alurina by Smith in 1902. Like other members of the genus Orthosia, it is part of the early spring moth fauna that emerges before most deciduous trees leaf out.
Orthosia arthrolita
Orthosia arthrolita is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Harvey in 1875. It belongs to a genus of early spring-flying moths, with adults typically active during the brief window before foliage fully develops. The species occurs in North America, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented compared to better-known congeners such as Orthosia hibisci.
Orthosia ferrigera
Orthosia ferrigera is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Smith in 1894. It occurs in North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10482. Like other members of the genus Orthosia, it is likely an early spring-emerging species, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Orthosia flaviannula
Orthosia flaviannula is a noctuid moth species described by Smith in 1899. It belongs to the genus Orthosia, a group of early spring-flying moths commonly known as Quaker moths. Like other Orthosia species, it likely exhibits a univoltine life cycle with adults emerging in early spring. The species is recorded from North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in available sources.
Orthosia garmani
Garman's Quaker
Orthosia garmani, known as Garman's Quaker, is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. The species is found in North America. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10488. The genus Orthosia includes several early spring-emerging species, though specific details for O. garmani remain limited in available sources.
Orthosia mys
cutworm moth, dart moth
Orthosia mys is a noctuid moth species described by Dyar in 1903. It belongs to the cutworm or dart moth group within the family Noctuidae. The species is recorded from North America and has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 10481.
Orthosia pacifica
Pacific Quaker
Orthosia pacifica, commonly known as the Pacific Quaker, is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It is found in western North America. The species was first described by Harvey in 1874 under the basionym Taeniocampa pacifica. Adults exhibit characteristic gray-brown coloration with patterned forewings and whitish hindwings. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10494.
Orthosia praeses
Orthosia praeses is a noctuid moth species described by Grote in 1879. It belongs to the spring-flying Orthosia genus, a group of early-emerging cutworm moths in North America. The species is documented in entomological records with a MONA/Hodges number of 10480. Like congeners, it likely exhibits univoltine flight activity concentrated in early spring.
Orthosia revicta
Subdued Quaker, rusty whitesided caterpillar
Orthosia revicta, commonly known as the Subdued Quaker, is a species of cutworm moth in the family Noctuidae. It is native to North America and has been recorded across Canada and the northern United States. Like other members of the genus Orthosia, it is an early spring-emerging species. The species was originally described by Morrison in 1876 under the basionym Taeniocampa revicta.
Orthosia rubescens
Ruby Quaker
Orthosia rubescens, commonly known as the ruby Quaker, is a species of cutworm moth in the family Noctuidae. It is found across North America and is characterized by its reddish coloration. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10487. Like other members of the genus Orthosia, it is a spring-flying moth with a single generation per year.
Orthosia segregata
Separated Quaker
Orthosia segregata, commonly known as the Separated Quaker, is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It belongs to the genus Orthosia, a group of early spring-flying moths often referred to as "quakers." The species was described by Smith in 1893 and is native to North America, with records from western Canadian provinces including Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Like other Orthosia species, it likely has a single generation per year with adults emerging in early spring.
Orthosia tenuimacula
Orthosia tenuimacula is a species of cutworm moth in the family Noctuidae, first described from North America in 1913. The species belongs to a genus of early spring-emerging moths, with adults typically active during March and April. Like other Orthosia species, it likely overwinters in the pupal stage. The specific epithet 'tenuimacula' (slender spot) refers to a marking on the forewing. Very few observations exist for this species, suggesting it may be genuinely rare, undercollected, or restricted to specific habitats.
Orthosia terminata
Orthosia terminata is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It was described by Smith in 1888. The species is found in North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10484. Like other members of the genus Orthosia, it is likely an early spring-emerging moth with a single generation per year, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Orthosia transparens
Orthosia transparens is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It is found in North America. The species has been assigned MONA (Moth Photographers Group) or Hodges number 10479. Like other members of the genus Orthosia, it is likely an early spring-flying species.
Oslaria
Oslaria is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, erected by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1904. The genus contains three described species distributed in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Members of this genus are part of the diverse owlet moth fauna of arid North American regions.
Oslaria pura
Oslaria pura is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1911. It is found in North America. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9792.
Oxycnemis
Oxycnemis is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1882. The genus currently contains eight recognized species distributed in North America. A taxonomic revision by Troubridge (2008) realigned the genus within the tribe Psaphidini of the subfamily Amphipyrinae. Formerly placed species have been reassigned to other genera, such as Sympistis.
Oxycnemis advena
Oxycnemis advena is a small noctuid moth described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1882. It is restricted to the mountainous regions of southwestern North America, occurring in southern Arizona, eastern Nevada, southern California, and southern Baja California. Adults are active during mid-summer, with flight records from July to August. The species is one of relatively few in the genus Oxycnemis, which belongs to the tribe Psaphidini within the subfamily Amphipyrinae.
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.
Ozarba
Ozarba n-sp is an undescribed or unidentified species in the genus Ozarba, a group of small noctuid moths in the subfamily Acontiinae. The genus Ozarba contains numerous species distributed across multiple continents, with many species poorly known or awaiting formal description. Members of this genus are typically small, nocturnal moths with relatively plain forewings. The specific epithet "n-sp" indicates this record represents a species not yet assigned a formal scientific name.
Ozarba nebula
Nebula Brown
Ozarba nebula is a noctuid moth species described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1918. It belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae within the owlet moth family Noctuidae. The species occurs in North America and is known by the common name Nebula Brown. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9033.
Pachypolia atricornis
Three-horned Moth
Pachypolia atricornis, commonly known as the Three-horned Moth, is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae. First described by Grote in 1874, this species is known from North America with confirmed records from Vermont. The genus Pachypolia is classified within the subfamily Noctuinae. The common name refers to distinctive horn-like projections on the head.
Panthea
Panthea is a genus of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Pantheinae. The genus name derives from Greek and Persian, meaning 'of all gods.' Species within Panthea are primarily distributed in North America, with some Neotropical representatives including recently described species from Honduras and the Dominican Republic. The genus includes notable species such as Panthea furcilla (eastern panthea or tufted white pine caterpillar) and Panthea acronyctoides (black zigzag or tufted spruce caterpillar), whose larvae feed on conifer hosts.
Panthea acronyctoides
Black Zigzag, Tufted Spruce Caterpillar, Black Zigzag Moth
A medium-sized noctuid moth found across northern North America, with two recognized subspecies. Adults fly from May to August and are attracted to light. Larvae feed on coniferous trees, particularly spruces and firs, and are known as the 'tufted spruce caterpillar' due to their distinctive appearance.
Panthea furcilla
Eastern Panthea Moth, Tufted White Pine Caterpillar
Panthea furcilla is a noctuid moth occurring across boreal Canada and the eastern United States. Adults fly from June to August, with a single generation in Canada and multiple generations in the southern United States. The species is notable for its association with coniferous trees, with larvae feeding on pines, spruces, and eastern larch. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate P. f. furcilla and the southern P. f. australis.
Panthea gigantea
Giant Panthea Moth
Panthea gigantea is a large noctuid moth native to western North America. It is recognized as the largest New World species in its genus, with females occasionally exceeding 60 mm in wingspan. The species inhabits warmer, drier regions across a broad latitudinal range from British Columbia to Mexico.
Panthea greyi
Panthea greyi is a noctuid moth described in 2009 by Anweiler. It is known from montane regions of the southwestern United States, specifically in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and southern Utah, at elevations between 1524 and 2545 meters. Adults are active during summer months, with males having a wingspan of 38–45 mm and females 42–50 mm.
Papaipema
Papaipema is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, erected by John B. Smith in 1899. The genus comprises approximately 50 described species, most of which are commonly known as "borers" due to their larval feeding habits. Species are distributed primarily across North America, with many exhibiting highly specialized host plant associations. Larvae tunnel into stems, roots, or rhizomes of specific native plants, making many species of conservation concern due to habitat loss and host plant rarity.
Papaipema aerata
slender salsify
Papaipema aerata is a species of cutworm moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as the slender salsify. It is found in North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9468. Like other members of the genus Papaipema, this species is associated with herbaceous plants, though specific host relationships remain poorly documented.
Papaipema araliae
Aralia shoot borer moth, Hedge veronica, Hercules' Club Borer Moth
Papaipema araliae is a noctuid moth described by Bird & Jones in 1921. The species belongs to the genus Papaipema, a group of borers associated with herbaceous plants and woody stems. It is recorded from North America. The specific epithet 'araliae' indicates an association with plants in the genus Aralia.
Papaipema astuta
Stoneroot Stem Borer Moth
Papaipema astuta is a noctuid moth commonly known as the Stoneroot Stem Borer Moth. It is native to North America and belongs to a genus of moths whose larvae bore into stems of herbaceous plants. The species was described by Bird in 1907. Like other Papaipema species, it is associated with specific host plants, though detailed ecological studies remain limited.
Papaipema aweme
Aweme borer moth, Bogbean Borer Moth, small white-aster moth
Papaipema aweme is a noctuid moth described by Lyman in 1908. It belongs to the genus Papaipema, a group of stem-boring moths whose larvae tunnel into the roots and stems of herbaceous plants. The species is known from limited observations in North America, with confirmed records from Manitoba and Saskatchewan in Canada. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9504.
Papaipema cataphracta
burdock borer
Papaipema cataphracta, commonly known as the burdock borer, is a noctuid moth distributed across eastern and central North America. Adults are active in late summer and fall. The larvae are root and stem borers, feeding on burdock (Arctium), lilies (Lilium), and thistles.
Papaipema circumlucens
hops-stalk borer moth, hop-gall borer moth
Papaipema circumlucens is a North American moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Smith in 1899. The species is known by two common names: hops-stalk borer moth and hop-gall borer moth. It is listed as a species of special concern and has been documented from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, Ohio, Saskatchewan, and Wisconsin. It is believed to be extirpated from Connecticut.
Papaipema furcata
Ash Shoot Borer Moth, ash tip borer
Papaipema furcata is a noctuid moth whose larvae bore into the twigs of ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) and box elder (Acer negundo). Adults are active from late summer through autumn, with a wingspan of 33–49 mm. The species ranges across eastern and central North America from Quebec to Georgia and west to Louisiana and Manitoba.
Papaipema insulidens
ragwort stem borer moth
Papaipema insulidens, commonly known as the ragwort stem borer moth, is a species of cutworm moth in the family Noctuidae. The species was described by Bird in 1902 and is native to North America. The common name suggests larval boring behavior in ragwort (Senecio) stems, though specific host associations require verification. It is assigned Hodges number 9488 in the North American moth numbering system.
Papaipema lysimachiae
Loosestrife Borer, Loosestrife Borer Moth
Papaipema lysimachiae, commonly known as the Loosestrife Borer, is a North American moth in the family Noctuidae. The species is notable for its specialized larval association with Lysimachia quadrifolia, where larvae bore into stems and roots. Adults are active in late summer and autumn.
Papaipema nelita
coneflower borer, Coneflower Borer Moth
Papaipema nelita, commonly known as the coneflower borer, is a moth species in the family Noctuidae. The species was described by Strecker in 1898 and is native to North America. It belongs to a genus whose larvae are known as borers in the stems and roots of herbaceous plants. The species has been documented in Canada and the United States.
Papaipema nepheleptena
Turtlehead Borer Moth, turtle head borer moth
Papaipema nepheleptena, the Turtlehead Borer Moth, is a noctuid moth described by Dyar in 1908. The species is endemic to North America. It belongs to a genus whose larvae are specialized stem borers in herbaceous plants. The common name indicates an association with turtlehead plants (Chelone spp.), though this relationship requires confirmation from primary sources.
Papaipema polymniae
Cup Plant Borer, Leafcup Borer Moth
Papaipema polymniae is a noctuid moth commonly known as the Cup Plant Borer or Leafcup Borer Moth. The species is a specialist herbivore whose larvae feed exclusively on Polymnia uvedalis (leafcup), a native North American plant in the sunflower family. It has been documented in limited numbers in the northeastern United States.
Papaipema pterisii
Bracken Borer Moth
Papaipema pterisii, commonly known as the bracken borer moth, is a noctuid moth native to North America. The species is named for its association with bracken fern, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. Like other members of the genus Papaipema, it is presumed to have a borer lifestyle, with larvae tunneling into plant stems or rhizomes. The species was described by Bird in 1907 and has been recorded across a broad North American range.