Noctuidae
Guides
Viridemas galena
Viridemas galena is a noctuid moth and the sole species in the monotypic genus Viridemas. First described by John Bernhardt Smith in 1908, this species is endemic to Arizona. The genus and species were established based on specimens collected in the southwestern United States, representing a distinct lineage within the subfamily Noctuinae.
Viridiseptis marina
Viridiseptis marina is a noctuid moth species found in North America. It was originally described by Grote in 1874 and has been treated as a synonym of Aseptis marina in some taxonomic treatments, though it is currently recognized in the genus Viridiseptis. The species has accumulated over 600 observation records on iNaturalist, indicating it is moderately well-documented by citizen scientists.
Voria ruralis
Voria ruralis is a tachinid fly that parasitizes lepidopteran larvae, particularly noctuid moths including the cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni) and soybean looper (Pseudoplusia includens). It is widely distributed across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. The species has been documented as a biological control agent in agricultural systems, with parasitism rates reaching over 20% on some hosts. Developmental time varies with temperature, and females exhibit host discrimination behavior when selecting targets for oviposition.
Walterella
Walterella is a monotypic moth genus in the family Noctuidae, established by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1921. The genus contains a single species, Walterella ocellata, which was described by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1910. It is known only from the US state of Arizona.
Walterella ocellata
Walterella ocellata is the sole species in the monotypic moth genus Walterella, described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1910. The genus was erected by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1921. This noctuid moth is known from Arizona, with 35 observations recorded on iNaturalist. As a member of the family Noctuidae, it belongs to one of the largest families of Lepidoptera.
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.
Xanthopastis regnatrix
Spanish moth, convict caterpillar
Xanthopastis regnatrix, commonly known as the Spanish moth or convict caterpillar, is a noctuid moth native to the southeastern United States. The species was previously grouped under Xanthopastis timais, now recognized as a species complex, with X. regnatrix applying specifically to populations in the eastern United States. Its caterpillars are known pests of amaryllis and related ornamental plants. The species has been recorded as far north as coastal New York and Kentucky, though these represent strays outside its core range.
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.
Xerociris wilsonii
Wilson's Wood-nymph Moth
Xerociris wilsonii, commonly known as Wilson's Wood-nymph Moth, is a monotypic species in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Agaristinae. The genus was erected by Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell in 1904, with the species originally described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1863. It is found in the US state of Texas and has been recorded in North America.
Xestia badicollis
Northern Variable Dart, Northern Conifer Dart, White Pine Cutworm
A noctuid moth native to eastern North America. Adults fly from July to October with one generation per year. The larval stage, known as the white pine cutworm, feeds primarily on eastern white pine and occasionally other conifers. The species belongs to the elimata species group, within which genetic and morphological boundaries remain unresolved.
Xestia c-nigrum
setaceous Hebrew character, Black-letter Darts, Spotted Cutworm
Xestia c-nigrum is a widespread noctuid moth commonly known as the setaceous Hebrew character or Black-letter Darts. The species was first described by Linnaeus in 1758 and occurs across the Palearctic and Nearctic realms. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. The caterpillars, known as spotted cutworms, are generalist feeders and have been documented as prey for certain thread-waisted wasps.
Xestia cinerascens
cutworm, dart moth
Xestia cinerascens is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Smith in 1891. Originally placed in the genus Pachnobia, it is now classified within Xestia. The species is found in North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10949. Like other cutworm moths, it belongs to a group whose larvae are known for feeding on plant stems at or below ground level.
Xestia colorado
cutworm, dart moth
Xestia colorado is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as a cutworm or dart moth. It was described by Smith in 1891, originally placed in the genus Agrotiphila. The species is recorded from North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10982.
Xestia dilucida
Dull Reddish Dart, Reddish Heath Dart
Xestia dilucida is a noctuid moth occurring in eastern North America. The species was described by Morrison in 1875. Adults fly in autumn with a single annual generation. Larval host plants are restricted to Vaccinium species.
Xestia dolosa
Greater Black-letter Dart, Woodland Spotted Cutworm, Spotted Cutworm
Xestia dolosa is a noctuid moth native to North America with three common names reflecting its appearance and larval habit: greater black-letter dart, woodland spotted cutworm, and spotted cutworm. Adults are medium-sized with a wingspan near 40 mm. The species exhibits bivoltine phenology in southern populations and univoltine patterns in the north. Larvae are agricultural pests feeding on diverse crop plants and woody vegetation.
Xestia elimata
Southern Variable Dart, Variable Climbing Caterpillar
Xestia elimata is a noctuid moth native to eastern North America. Adults are active in autumn with a single generation per year. The species is part of a cryptic complex with X. praevia and X. badicollis, which may represent a single species based on genital and DNA similarities. Larvae feed on hard pines.
Xestia imperita
Grand Xestia Moth
Xestia imperita is a noctuid moth known as the Grand Xestia Moth. The species belongs to the cutworm or dart moth group within the family Noctuidae. It has been documented in North America with 53 iNaturalist observations. The species was originally described by Hübner in 1831 under the basionym Ogygia imperita.
Xestia infimatis
cutworm, dart moth
Xestia infimatis is a species of cutworm moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1880. It is found in North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10972. As a member of the genus Xestia, it belongs to a diverse group of noctuine moths commonly known as dart moths or cutworms.
Xestia inuitica
cutworm moth, dart moth
Xestia inuitica is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Lafontaine & Hensel in 1998. It is found in North America. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10980.1.
Xestia laxa
cutworm moth, dart moth
Xestia laxa is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, described by J. Donald Lafontaine and Kauri Mikkola in 1998. It belongs to the large genus Xestia, which contains numerous noctuid moth species distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. The species is found in North America and is assigned the MONA/Hodges number 10963.1. Like other members of its genus, it is likely a nocturnal moth with larvae that feed on herbaceous vegetation.
Xestia liquidaria
cutworm, dart moth
Xestia liquidaria is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It occurs across a broad geographic range spanning Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. The species is recognized by taxonomic authority Eversmann (1848) and carries Hodges number 10934 in North American classification systems. Like other members of the genus Xestia, it is a nocturnal moth with larvae that function as cutworms.
Xestia lupa
Xestia lupa is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It was described by Lafontaine and Mikkola in 1998. The species is known from North America. Like other members of the genus Xestia, it is a nocturnal moth.
Xestia mixta
Mixta Xestia Moth
Xestia mixta is a noctuid moth first described by Francis Walker in 1856 under the basionym Acronycta mixta. It is known from North America, with verified records from Vermont and broader distribution across the continent. The species belongs to the genus Xestia, a diverse group of owlet moths found primarily in northern regions. As with many Xestia species, it is likely nocturnal and attracted to light sources.
Xestia oblata
Ruby Dart, Rosy Dart
Xestia oblata, commonly known as the ruby dart or rosy dart, is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It was described by Morrison in 1875 and is native to North America. The species is assigned Hodges number 10947. Two subspecies are recognized: Xestia oblata oblata and Xestia oblata streckeri.
Xestia okakensis
Okak Cutworm, Okak Dart Moth
Xestia okakensis is a cutworm moth in the family Noctuidae. It was first described by Packard in 1867. The species has two recognized subspecies: X. o. okakensis and X. o. morandi. It occurs across northern regions of North America and Eurasia.
Xestia plebeia
Xestia plebeia is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Smith in 1898. The species was originally described under the genus Noctua before being transferred to Xestia. It has been recorded from Alberta, Canada. The genus placement has been subject to taxonomic discussion, with some treatments considering it related to or potentially synonymous with Hemigraphiphora.
Xestia quieta
Xestia quieta is a noctuid moth distributed across northern boreal and arctic regions of Eurasia and North America. Adults are active in mid-summer, with flight periods recorded in June and July. The species is characterized by a relatively small wingspan of 25–29 mm. Larval host associations remain uncertain, though Empetrum species have been suggested as possible food plants.
Xestia scropulana
cutworm, dart moth
Xestia scropulana is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Morrison in 1874. The species belongs to a genus whose larvae are commonly known as cutworms due to their habit of severing plant stems at or below ground level. As with many Noctuidae species, adults are likely nocturnal and attracted to light sources.
Xestia tecta
Xestia tecta is a noctuid moth with a disjunct Holarctic distribution, occurring in boreal Fennoscandia and northwestern Russia in Europe, and across northern Siberia, Alaska, and north-central North America. The species has a two-year life cycle, with adults active from July to August. Males are nocturnal while females are active in the afternoon.
Xestia ursae
cutworm moth, dart moth
Xestia ursae is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. The species was originally described as a variety of Anomogyna atrata by McDunnough in 1940, but is now recognized as a distinct species in the genus Xestia. It occurs in both North America and Europe/Northern Asia.
Xestia vernilis
Xestia vernilis is a noctuid moth species found in North America. It belongs to the cutworm or dart moth group within the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Grote in 1879, originally placed in the genus Agrotis. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10973.
Xestia xanthographa
Square-spot Rustic
A widespread noctuid moth with a Palearctic and North American distribution. The species has served as a key indicator in research demonstrating detrimental effects of street-lighting on caterpillar abundance. Adults are abundant in late summer and autumn, and the species represents common prey for autumn-flying bats.
Xylena brucei
Bruce's Swordgrass Moth
Xylena brucei, commonly known as Bruce's Swordgrass Moth, is a species of cutworm moth in the family Noctuidae. It was described by Smith in 1892 and is found in North America. The species is assigned Hodges number 9877 in the North American Moth Photographers Group (MPG) system. Like other members of the genus Xylena, it likely exhibits the characteristic swordgrass moth morphology and life history patterns.
Xylena nupera
American swordgrass moth, red swordgrass moth
Xylena nupera is a noctuid moth known as the American swordgrass moth or red swordgrass moth. It belongs to the cutworm or dart moth group within the family Noctuidae. The species was described by Lintner in 1874. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9873.
Xylena thoracica
Acadian Swordgrass Moth
Xylena thoracica, commonly known as the Acadian Swordgrass Moth, is a species of cutworm moth in the family Noctuidae. It is found in North America, with records from Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) and the United States (Vermont). The species was first described by Putnam-Cramer in 1886 and is assigned Hodges number 9875.
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.
Xylomoia
Xylomoia is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Staudinger in 1892. The genus contains at least seven recognized species distributed across the Holarctic region, with the majority occurring in Europe and northern Asia. A 2024 integrative taxonomic review synonymized three species—X. strix, X. retinax, and X. stangelmaieri—as subspecies of X. strix based on morphological and genetic evidence. The genus belongs to the tribe Apameini within the subfamily Noctuinae.
Xylomoia chagnoni
Reed Canary Grass Borer Moth, Chagnon's Borer Moth
Xylomoia chagnoni is a small noctuid moth commonly known as the reed canary grass borer moth. It was described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1917 and named after collector Gustave Chagnon. The species occurs in northeastern North America, where it has been documented as a specialist feeder on reed canary grass.
Xylomoia indirecta
Oblique Brocade Moth
Xylomoia indirecta, commonly known as the oblique brocade moth, is a species of cutworm moth in the family Noctuidae. It was described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1875. The species is native to North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9401. Like other noctuids, adults are nocturnal and attracted to light.
Xylotype
Xylotype is a small genus of owlet moths (Noctuidae) containing two recognized species. The genus was established by Hampson in 1906 and is classified within the subfamily Noctuinae. Species in this genus occur in North America, with documented records from the northeastern United States.
Xylotype arcadia
Acadian Sallow
Xylotype arcadia, commonly known as the acadian sallow, is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It was first described by William Barnes and Foster Hendrickson Benjamin in 1922. The species is found in North America, with documented occurrences in Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) and the United States (Vermont). It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9980.
Xylotype capax
Broad Sallow Moth, Barrens Xylotype, Broad Sallow
Xylotype capax is a noctuid moth native to North America, commonly known as the broad sallow moth or barrens xylotype. It belongs to the cutworm or dart moth group within the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Grote in 1868 and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9979.
Xystopeplus
Xystopeplus is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Franclemont in 1937. The genus contains a single recognized species, Xystopeplus rufago. These moths belong to the tribe Xylenini within the subfamily Noctuinae. The genus is documented in North American fauna and is represented in natural history collections and citizen science observations.
Zale helata
Brown-spotted Zale Moth
Zale helata, commonly known as the brown-spotted zale moth, is a noctuid moth species first described by Smith in 1908. It inhabits barrens and pine woodlands across central and eastern North America. Adults are active from May to June with a single generation per year. The species has a wingspan of 35–41 mm.
Zale obliqua
oblique zale
Zale obliqua, the oblique zale, is a noctuid moth first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. The species is associated with pine habitats in eastern North America, with larvae feeding on pitch pine in northern populations and likely other pine species in southern populations. Adults exhibit regional variation in flight timing, with activity beginning in late March in southeastern North Carolina and early summer in more northern latitudes.
Zale strigimacula
Little Lined Zale
Zale strigimacula, commonly known as the Little Lined Zale, is a species of moth in the family Erebidae. It belongs to the genus Zale, a group of owlet moths whose caterpillars feed on various woody plants. The species is part of the diverse North American noctuid fauna and is known to be a host for parasitoid wasps including Ammophila nigricans. The genus Zale is taxonomically complex with many similar species, making field identification challenging.
Zale undularis
Black Zale Moth
Zale undularis, commonly known as the black zale moth, is a medium-sized noctuid moth first described by Dru Drury in 1773. The species is characterized by its very dark brown to black coloration with distinctive undulating wing patterns. It occurs in the eastern United States and southern Ontario, where adults are active during warmer months. The caterpillars serve as prey for certain sphecid wasps, including Ammophila nigricans.
Zosteropoda
Zosteropoda is a genus of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae, tribe Eriopygini. The genus was established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1874 and currently contains three recognized species. Members are found in North America, with records concentrated in the western United States and adjacent regions.