Noctuidae
Guides
Sympistis sagittata
Sympistis sagittata is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1916. It belongs to the genus Sympistis, a diverse group of noctuid moths primarily distributed across North America. The species is currently accepted as valid in major taxonomic databases including GBIF and Catalogue of Life. Very little specific biological information has been published for this particular species.
Sympistis sakhmet
Sympistis sakhmet is a small noctuid moth described from New Mexico in 2008. The species is known from very limited material, with a recorded wingspan of approximately 31 mm. It belongs to a genus of moths whose larvae often feed on specific host plants.
Sympistis singularis
Sympistis singularis is a moth species in the family Noctuidae, first described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1912. It belongs to the genus Sympistis, a diverse group of noctuid moths commonly known as the 'sympistis moths' or under the broader category of owlet moths. The species is known from North America, with observations documented through citizen science platforms and museum collections.
Sympistis sokar
Sympistis sokar is a moth species in the family Noctuidae, described by James T. Troubridge in 2008. It is known only from Oregon in the western United States. As a recently described species with limited observation records, much of its biology remains undocumented.
Sympistis stabilis
Brown Sallow
Sympistis stabilis, commonly known as the brown sallow, is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae. It was first described by Smith in 1895 and is found in North America. The species has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 10062, a standard identifier used in North American moth classification.
Sympistis tenuistriga
Thin-lined Sallow
Sympistis tenuistriga is a moth species described by McDunnough in 1940, currently treated as a synonym of Sympistis badistriga. It belongs to the family Noctuidae (owlet moths) and is known from the Canadian prairie provinces and Vermont. The common name "Thin-lined Sallow" refers to its characteristic wing pattern. Limited observational data exists, with 19 records on iNaturalist.
Sympistis umbrifascia
Sympistis umbrifascia is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Smith in 1894. It is recorded from North America and assigned MONA/Hodges number 10122. The species belongs to a large genus of moths whose larvae often feed on Asteraceae, though specific biology for this species remains poorly documented.
Sympistis utahensis
Sympistis utahensis is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Barnes and Benjamin in 1924. It is found in North America. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10146. Very little specific biological information is documented for this species.
Sympistis zetterstedtii
Alpine Sallow
Sympistis zetterstedtii, commonly known as the Alpine Sallow, is a moth species in the family Noctuidae. It was described by Staudinger in 1857 and is associated with alpine or montane habitats. The species has been recorded primarily in northern Europe, though the exact distribution requires verification. It is part of a taxonomically complex genus where species boundaries and nomenclature have been subject to revision.
Syngrapha alias
hooked silver Y, Hooked Silver Y Moth
Syngrapha alias is a noctuid moth native to North America, first described by Rodrigues Ottolengui in 1902. The species exhibits a transcontinental distribution spanning boreal and montane regions from Newfoundland to Alaska, with southern extensions to California and North Carolina. Adults are active during summer months, with larvae specializing on white spruce and black spruce.
Syngrapha altera
Altera Looper
Syngrapha altera, commonly known as the Altera Looper, is a noctuid moth species described by Ottolengui in 1902. It occurs in northeastern North America, ranging from Newfoundland west to Manitoba and south to northern Michigan. The species has two recognized subspecies: the nominate form and S. a. variana, which occurs from Maine to Newfoundland. Adults have a wingspan of 30–34 mm.
Syngrapha alticola
Alticola Looper Moth, Alpine Beauty
Syngrapha alticola is a small noctuid moth found in high-elevation and Arctic environments across North America. The species occurs above treeline from Newfoundland to Alaska, with disjunct populations extending southward in the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada to central California and Colorado. Adults are active during mid-summer, with two generations per year in at least part of the range. The species is one of relatively few Lepidoptera specialized for life in alpine tundra habitats.
Syngrapha angulidens
Syngrapha angulidens is a noctuid moth described by Smith in 1891. It is distributed across montane regions of western North America from Alaska to New Mexico. The species has a single annual generation with adults active in mid-summer.
Syngrapha borea
Boreal Looper Moth
Syngrapha borea is a species of looper moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Aurivillius in 1890. The species is found in North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in published literature. As a member of the Plusiinae subfamily, it shares the characteristic looping locomotion of its caterpillars with related species.
Syngrapha celsa
plain silver Y, western conifer looper
Syngrapha celsa is a noctuid moth known as the plain silver Y or western conifer looper. The species was described by Henry Edwards in 1881 and occurs in western North America. Larvae are specialized feeders on coniferous trees in the families Pinaceae and Cupressaceae.
Syngrapha epigaea
Epigaea Looper Moth, Pirate Looper Moth, Narrow Silver Y
Syngrapha epigaea is a noctuid moth species first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1874. It occurs across boreal and temperate regions of North America, with adults active during mid-summer. The species is univoltine, producing one generation per year. Larvae feed on specific ericaceous host plants, with documented associations to Vaccinium angustifolium (lowbush blueberry) and Kalmia angustifolia (sheep laurel).
Syngrapha interrogationis
Scarce Silver Y Moth
Syngrapha interrogationis, commonly known as the scarce silver Y, is a noctuid moth distributed across northern regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The species ranges from Alaska and Canada through Iceland, Europe, and Siberia to Northeast Asia including Japan. Adults display the characteristic silver Y-shaped mark on the forewings typical of the Plusiinae subfamily. The species is considered scarce or locally distributed in parts of its European range.
Syngrapha montana
Labrador Tea Looper Moth, Labrador tea looper
Syngrapha montana, commonly known as the Labrador tea looper moth, is a noctuid moth distributed across boreal North America. The species exhibits a transcontinental Canadian range with southern extensions into the northern United States. Its life cycle is univoltine, with one generation annually. The larval stage is specialized, feeding exclusively on Ledum groenlandicum (Labrador tea), a wetland ericaceous shrub.
Syngrapha octoscripta
Figure-eight Looper Moth, Dusky Silver Y
Syngrapha octoscripta is a noctuid moth native to North America, commonly known as the figure-eight looper moth or dusky silver Y. Adults are medium-sized with a wingspan of 34–36 mm and display the characteristic silver Y-shaped marking typical of the genus. The species has a single annual generation, with adults active during mid-summer. Larvae are specialized feeders on Vaccinium species.
Syngrapha orophila
Syngrapha orophila is a noctuid moth described by George Hampson in 1908. It is restricted to western North America, where it inhabits mountainous and northern coastal regions. The species has a single annual generation with adults active in mid-summer.
Syngrapha parilis
Dwarf Willow Looper
Syngrapha parilis is a looper moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as the Dwarf Willow Looper. The species occurs in both North America and Europe, with confirmed records from Norway and Sweden. It belongs to the subfamily Plusiinae, a group characterized by reduced foreleg structure and looping larval locomotion. The species was first described by Hübner in 1809 under the basionym Noctua parilis.
Syngrapha sackenii
Syngrapha sackenii is a noctuid moth described by Grote in 1877. It is restricted to the Rocky Mountains of the western United States, occurring in southwestern Montana, northeastern Utah, New Mexico, and Colorado. Very few observations exist in public databases, with only five records documented on iNaturalist.
Syngrapha selecta
Chosen Looper Moth
Syngrapha selecta, the chosen looper moth, is a North American noctuid moth described by Francis Walker in 1858. It has a wingspan of approximately 38 mm and produces one generation annually. The species occupies a broad northern range across boreal and subarctic regions.
Syngrapha u-aureum
golden looper moth
Syngrapha u-aureum, known as the golden looper moth, is a noctuid moth distributed across boreal and subarctic regions of eastern North America. The species has one generation annually. Larvae feed on Vaccinium species, including blueberries and related shrubs. Two subspecies are recognized, differing in geographic distribution and host associations.
Syngrapha viridisigma
spruce false looper, green-marked looper
Syngrapha viridisigma is a species of looper moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as the spruce false looper or green-marked looper. It was described by Grote in 1874 under the basionym Plusia viridisigma. The species is native to North America and belongs to the subfamily Plusiinae, which includes many economically important agricultural pests.
Synorthodes
Synorthodes is a genus of noctuid moths established by Franclemont in 1976. It contains three described species distributed in North America. The genus belongs to the tribe Eriopygini within the subfamily Noctuinae. Knowledge of this genus is limited due to its small size and rarity in collections.
Synorthodes auriginea
cutworm moth, dart moth
Synorthodes auriginea is a species of noctuid moth described by Franclemont in 1976. It belongs to the family Noctuidae, commonly known as cutworm or dart moths. The species is recorded from North America and has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 10590. Published records indicate it is rarely encountered, with limited observational data available.
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).
Tarache apela
bird dropping moth
Tarache apela is a species of bird dropping moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Druce in 1889. The species belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae, a group commonly known as bird dropping moths due to their camouflage coloration that resembles avian feces. The genus Tarache was previously treated as a synonym of Acontia, and some sources still list this species as Acontia apela. The MONA (Moth Photographers Group) or Hodges number for this species is 9133.
Tarache aprica
Exposed Bird Dropping Moth, Nun
Tarache aprica, commonly known as the exposed bird dropping moth, is a small noctuid moth native to North America. The species exhibits bird-dropping mimicry as a defensive strategy. Adults are active from March through September in southern portions of their range, with a reduced season in northern areas. The larvae feed specifically on Alcea rosea (hollyhock).
Tarache axendra
Tarache axendra is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Acontiinae, described by Schaus in 1898. It belongs to the genus Tarache, which contains small to medium-sized moths commonly known as bird-dropping mimics due to their cryptic coloration. The species occurs in North America. Like other members of the Acontiinae, adults are likely nocturnal and attracted to light sources.
Tarache bella
Tarache bella is a species of bird-dropping moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by William Barnes and Foster Hendrickson Benjamin in 1922. It is found in North America. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9147.
Tarache cora
Tarache cora is a species of bird-dropping moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1918. It is found in North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9151. The species belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae, a group of small noctuoid moths often characterized by distinctive resting postures and coloration patterns.
Tarache dacia
brown cotton leafworm
Tarache dacia is a species of noctuid moth commonly known as the brown cotton leafworm. It belongs to the bird dropping moth group within the subfamily Acontiinae, characterized by larvae that feed on plants in the genus Hibiscus. The species was originally described as Acontia dacia by Druce in 1889 and is currently classified under the genus Tarache.
Tarache delecta
Delightful Bird-dropping Moth, Mallow Caterpillar (larval stage)
Tarache delecta, commonly known as the delightful bird-dropping moth, is a noctuid moth in the subfamily Acontiinae. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1858. It is notable as the only member of the Acontiinae known to feed on plants in the genus Hibiscus. The larval stage, referred to as the 'mallow caterpillar,' has been considered a pest of ornamental mallows.
Tarache expolita
Polished Bird-dropping Moth
Tarache expolita is a noctuid moth species commonly known as the Polished Bird-dropping Moth, named for its resemblance to bird droppings—a form of protective mimicry. First described by Grote in 1882, this species belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae within the family Noctuidae. The species is documented across North America with over 800 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is relatively well-encountered by observers. Its Hodges number is 9149.
Tarache flavipennis
bird dropping moth
Tarache flavipennis is a species of bird dropping moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Grote in 1873. The species is found in North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9140. As a member of the subfamily Acontiinae, it belongs to a group of small noctuid moths often associated with bird-dropping mimicry.
Tarache huachuca
Tarache huachuca is a species of bird-dropping moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Smith in 1903. The species belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae, a group known for their characteristic wing patterns that resemble bird droppings, providing camouflage against predators. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9113 in North American moth classification systems. The specific epithet refers to the Huachuca Mountains in southeastern Arizona.
Tarache idella
Tarache idella is a small noctuid moth first described by William Barnes in 1905. It is known from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and Texas. Adults are active in September and are characterized by distinctive orange-yellow forewings with vertical black markings and a bright orange apical spot. The species belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae, a group of moths whose larvae often feed on specific host plants.
Tarache knowltoni
Tarache knowltoni
Tarache knowltoni is a species of bird dropping moth in the family Noctuidae. It belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae, a group of small moths often characterized by cryptic coloration resembling bird droppings. The species was described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1940.
Tarache lagunae
Tarache lagunae is a species of bird dropping moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Mustelin & Leuschner in 2000. It belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae, a group of small to medium-sized moths often characterized by distinctive wing patterns. The species is found in North America, with its specific epithet "lagunae" suggesting a possible association with lagoon or wetland habitats. Like other members of the genus Tarache, adults likely exhibit cryptic coloration resembling bird droppings, a common defensive adaptation in this group.
Tarache lanceolata
Tarache lanceolata is a species of bird dropping moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1879. The species is known from North America and has been assigned the MONA/Hodges number 9153. It belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae, a group commonly referred to as bird dropping moths due to their cryptic coloration that resembles avian feces.
Tarache lucasi
bird dropping moth
Tarache lucasi is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as a bird dropping moth due to its camouflage appearance resembling avian feces. The species was originally described as Acontia lucasi by Smith in 1900 and later transferred to the genus Tarache. It belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae, a group of small to medium-sized noctuid moths. The MONA (Moths of North America) or Hodges number for this species is 9148.
Tarache major
Tarache major is a species of bird dropping moth in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Acontiinae. The species was described by Smith in 1900 and is also known by the synonym Acontia major. It is assigned Hodges number 9152 in the North American moth numbering system. Like other members of the genus Tarache, it likely exhibits cryptic coloration resembling bird droppings as a defensive adaptation.
Tarache quadriplaga
Four-patched Bird-dropping Moth
Tarache quadriplaga is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Smith in 1900. It belongs to the bird-dropping moth group, named for the distinctive appearance of its larvae and/or adults that resembles bird droppings—a form of protective mimicry. The species is found in North America and is classified within the subfamily Acontiinae.
Tarache sedata
bird-dropping moth
Tarache sedata is a species of bird-dropping moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Henry Edwards in 1881. It belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae, a group commonly known as bird-dropping moths due to their cryptic coloration that resembles bird feces. The species is found in North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Tarache tenuicula
Tarache tenuicula is a species of bird dropping moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Morrison in 1875. It belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae, a group commonly known as bird dropping moths due to their cryptic coloration and posture that resembles avian feces. The species is recorded from North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited.
Tarache toddi
Tarache toddi is a moth species in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Acontiinae. The species was described in 2009 by Clifford D. Ferris and Donald Lafontaine based on specimens collected in southwestern North America. It belongs to a genus whose larvae are typically associated with specific host plants, including species in the genus Hibiscus. The species is relatively recently described and appears to have limited published information beyond its original description.
Tesagrotis amia
Tesagrotis amia is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Harrison G. Dyar in 1903. Originally described as Noctua amia, this species belongs to the genus Tesagrotis, a group of noctuid moths found in North America. The species is known from limited documentation, with only two observations recorded on iNaturalist as of the available data.
Tesagrotis atrifrons
cutworm moth, dart moth
Tesagrotis atrifrons is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873. It is native to North America. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10977. Little specific ecological information has been published for this species.