Noctuidae
Guides
Anicla illapsa
Snowy Dart
Anicla illapsa, commonly known as the snowy dart, is a moth in the family Noctuidae. It occurs across eastern and central North America, with adults active from spring through fall. The species has a wingspan of 29–35 mm and produces two generations per year.
Anicla mus
Anicla mus is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by J. Donald Lafontaine in 2004. It belongs to the genus Anicla, a group of small to medium-sized noctuid moths found in North America. The species is part of the diverse noctuid fauna attracted to blacklights during fall and early winter months. Like other members of its genus, it is likely nocturnal in its adult activity pattern.
Anicla simplicius
Simple Dart
Anicla simplicius, commonly known as the Simple Dart, is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. The species was described by Morrison in 1874 and is distributed across North America. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10907. As a member of the Noctuinae subfamily, it belongs to a large group of owlet moths that are primarily nocturnal and often attracted to artificial light sources.
Anicla sullivani
Sullivan's anicla
Anicla sullivani, or Sullivan's anicla, 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 10901.1. Like other members of the genus Anicla, it is a nocturnal moth attracted to light sources.
Anicla tenuescens
Anicla tenuescens is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. The species was described by Smith in 1890, originally placed in the genus Peridroma. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10909. Records indicate presence in North America, specifically in Manitoba, Canada. The genus Anicla includes species commonly known as green cutworm moths, though specific common names for A. tenuescens have not been documented.
Anicla tepperi
Black-girdled Dart
Anicla tepperi is a moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as the Black-girdled Dart. The species occurs in central North America, ranging from eastern Manitoba and the Alberta foothills south to southern Colorado. Adults have a wingspan of 36–40 mm and fly from June to July. The larvae feed on grasses in the family Poaceae.
Annaphila abdita
Annaphila abdita is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Rindge and Smith in 1952. It belongs to the subfamily Stiriinae, a group that includes day-flying moths. The species is found in North America. Like other members of its genus, it is likely diurnal, though direct observations of this specific species are limited.
Annaphila arvalis
Annaphila arvalis is a small owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Henry Edwards in 1875. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 20 mm and are active from early March to mid-April. The species is distributed across western North America from south-eastern British Columbia to southern California. Larvae feed on Montia perfoliata. The species is assigned Hodges number 9854.
Annaphila danistica
Annaphila danistica is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Grote in 1873. It is native to North America and belongs to the tribe Annaphilini within the subfamily Stiriinae. The species is part of a genus known for day-flying behavior, though specific behavioral observations for A. danistica itself are not well documented. Its MONA/Hodges number is 9850.
Annaphila diva
white annaphila
Annaphila diva is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as the white annaphila. It is found in North America and is distinguished by striking black-and-white wing coloration. The species is notable for being a day-flying moth, an uncommon trait among Noctuidae. Larvae feed on miner's lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata), a host plant relationship that has been documented. The species was first described by Grote in 1873 and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9869.
Annaphila ida
Annaphila ida is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Rindge and Smith in 1952. It is a member of the genus Annaphila, a group of primarily day-flying moths within the otherwise largely nocturnal Noctuidae. The species is found in North America, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented in available literature.
Annaphila lithosina
Annaphila lithosina is a day-flying moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Henry Edwards in 1875. It belongs to the Lithosina-casta species complex within the genus Annaphila, a group of small, attractive moths that are active during daylight hours rather than at night. The species is part of the subfamily Amphipyrinae and tribe Annaphilini. Limited published life history studies exist for this species.
Annaphila miona
Annaphila miona is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Smith in 1908. It belongs to the tribe Annaphilini within the subfamily Stiriinae. Like other members of its genus, it is likely a day-flying moth, though this specific behavior has not been explicitly documented for this species. The genus Annaphila is native to western North America and contains medium-sized, attractive moths.
Annaphila pseudoastrologa
Annaphila pseudoastrologa is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Sala in 1964. It belongs to the genus Annaphila, a group of small to medium-sized day-flying moths. The genus is endemic to western North America and includes species associated with specific host plants.
Anorthodes
Anorthodes is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Smith in 1891. The genus contains two recognized species: Anorthodes indigena (Barnes & Benjamin, 1925) and Anorthodes triquetra (Grote, 1883). A third species, formerly placed here as Anorthodes tarda, has been reassigned to the genus Athetis. These moths belong to the diverse owlet moth family, which includes many nocturnal species with cryptic coloration.
Anorthodes triquetra
cutworm moth, dart moth
Anorthodes triquetra is a species of noctuid moth, commonly referred to as a cutworm or dart moth. It was originally described as Pyrophila triquetra by Grote in 1883 and later transferred to the genus Anorthodes. The species is known from North America and has been assigned Hodges number 9651 in the North American moth numbering system.
Anterastria
A small genus of noctuid moths established by Japanese lepidopterist Shigero Sugi in 1982. The genus comprises two disjunct species with remarkably different geographic ranges: one Palearctic species distributed across south-eastern Siberia, Korea, and Japan, and one Nearctic species found in Tennessee, United States.
Anycteola
Anycteola is a monotypic moth genus in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Acronictinae. It was erected by William Barnes and Foster Hendrickson Benjamin in 1929. The genus contains a single species, Anycteola fotelloides, described by Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1916.
Apamea acera
Apamea acera is a noctuid moth native to western North America. The species was described by Smith in 1900 and was originally placed in the genus Polia. Its documented range extends from British Columbia through California and eastward to Utah. The wingspan measures approximately 46 mm.
Apamea alia
Fox Apamea
Apamea alia, commonly known as the Fox Apamea, is a noctuid moth native to North America. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 39 mm and are active from June to August. The larvae feed on various grasses. The species exhibits a disjunct distribution, occurring in both eastern and western regions of the continent.
Apamea amputatrix
Yellow-headed Cutworm, Yellow-headed Cutworm Moth
Apamea amputatrix, commonly known as the yellow-headed cutworm, is a noctuid moth native to North America with a range extending to the Arctic. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 40 mm and are active from April to October depending on location. The species is recognized as a cutworm pest, with larvae feeding on a broad range of host plants including vegetable crops. Identification to species level is challenging due to individual variation and overlap with other Apamea species.
Apamea antennata
Apamea antennata is a noctuid moth species widespread in the forests of western North America. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 44 mm and fly during early and midsummer. The larval stage feeds on grasses. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate A. a. antennata and A. a. purpurissata restricted to British Columbia.
Apamea burgessi ona
A subspecies of cutworm moth in the family Noctuidae, distributed in the North American Great Plains. The nominate subspecies Apamea burgessi burgessi occurs in the eastern portion of the range, while A. burgessi ona occupies more western localities. Like other members of the genus Apamea, it is nocturnal and attracted to light sources. The species complex presents identification challenges due to individual variation and overlapping morphological traits with related taxa.
Apamea cuculliformis
Apamea cuculliformis is a noctuid moth species described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1875. It belongs to the diverse cutworm moth genus Apamea, a group noted for taxonomic difficulty due to individual variation and overlapping morphological traits among species. The species is endemic to western North America. Available information is limited to basic taxonomy and geographic distribution.
Apamea devastator
glassy cutworm moth, glassy cutworm
Apamea devastator, commonly known as the glassy cutworm moth, is a noctuid moth of northeastern North America. The adult has a wingspan of 35–40 mm and flies from May to September. The larva is a subterranean cutworm that feeds on grasses, attacking roots and basal stems. The species is economically significant as a pest of turfgrass and agricultural grasses.
Apamea digitula
Apamea digitula is a noctuid moth described in 2006 from the Laguna Mountains of southern California. It is a member of the large and taxonomically challenging genus Apamea, which includes many similar-looking cutworm moths. The species is known from a limited geographic range in the western United States.
Apamea geminimacula
A medium-sized noctuid moth in the cutworm genus Apamea. The species was described by Dyar in 1904 and occurs in North America and Middle America. Like other Apamea species, it is difficult to identify due to individual variation and overlapping morphological traits with congeners.
Apamea inebriata
drunk apamea
Apamea inebriata, commonly known as the drunk apamea, is a noctuid moth species described by Ferguson in 1977. It occurs along the Atlantic coast of North America with a disjunct distribution pattern consisting of scattered local populations. The species remains poorly known, with limited documentation of its biology and ecology.
Apamea inordinata
Ornate Apamea
Apamea inordinata is a noctuid moth commonly known as the Ornate Apamea. It is distributed across much of North America, with records from numerous U.S. states and Canadian provinces. The species has a wingspan of approximately 34 mm. It is listed as threatened in Connecticut, indicating conservation concern in at least part of its range.
Apamea lignicolora
Wood-colored Apamea Moth, Wood-coloured Quaker
Apamea lignicolora is a noctuid moth native to North America, with a wingspan of 45–50 mm. The species was described by Guenée in 1852 and occurs across much of Canada and the United States. Larvae feed on various grasses including couch grass (Agropyron repens). Two subspecies are recognized: A. l. lignicolora and A. l. quaesita.
Apamea lintneri
sand wainscot moth, Sand Wainscot
Apamea lintneri, commonly known as the sand wainscot moth, is a noctuid moth native to North America. First described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873, this species is listed as a species of special concern in Connecticut. As a member of the genus Apamea, it belongs to a group of cutworm moths known for being difficult to identify due to individual variation and overlapping appearances with congeners.
Apamea lutosa
opalescent apamea, Opalescent Apamea Moth
Apamea lutosa is a noctuid moth commonly known as the opalescent apamea. It is distributed across central and eastern Canada and the north-eastern United States. The species is part of the taxonomically challenging genus Apamea, whose members are often difficult to distinguish visually. Larval feeding has been documented on quackgrass (Elytrigia repens).
Apamea maxima
Apamea maxima is a noctuid moth species native to western North America. It was described by Harrison G. Dyar in 1904, originally placed in the genus Polia. The species occurs in a range extending from British Columbia southward to California. Like other members of the genus Apamea, it is part of the diverse cutworm moth group within the family Noctuidae.
Apamea nigrior
black-dashed apamea, dark apamea
Apamea nigrior, known as the black-dashed apamea or dark apamea, is a noctuid moth species native to eastern North America. Adults are active from May through July across their range. The species belongs to the large and taxonomically challenging genus Apamea, whose members are often difficult to distinguish from one another.
Apamea perpensa
Apamea perpensa is a noctuid moth described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1881. It belongs to the cutworm moth genus Apamea, a group known for being taxonomically challenging due to high intraspecific variation and overlapping morphological traits among species. The species occurs in North America. Like other members of the Apamea genus, it is likely nocturnal and attracted to light sources, though specific behavioral and ecological details remain poorly documented.
Apamea plutonia
Dusky Apamea Moth, Dusky Quaker
Apamea plutonia, known as the Dusky Apamea Moth or Dusky Quaker, is a small noctuid moth native to northern North America. First described by Grote in 1883, it is characterized by its very dark, nearly black forewings and forewing length of 16–17 mm. The species occurs primarily in boreal regions with scattered populations extending southward. Its larvae are cutworms that feed on grasses.
Apamea quinteri
Quinter's Cutworm Moth
Apamea quinteri is a species of cutworm moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Mikkola and Lafontaine in 2009. It belongs to a genus of moths notorious among lepidopterists for being difficult to identify due to individual variation and overlapping morphological features with congeners. The species is known from North America. Like other Apamea species, it is nocturnal and attracted to artificial light sources.
Apamea relicina
relic dune apamea
Apamea relicina is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, known from North America. The species has two recognized subspecies: A. r. relicina (the nominate form) and A. r. migrata. Like other members of the genus Apamea, it belongs to a group of moths that are notoriously difficult to identify due to individual variation and overlapping morphological features with congeners. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9380.
Apamea scoparia
Faint-spotted Quaker
Apamea scoparia is a noctuid moth species described in 2000 by Mikkola, Mustelin, and Lafontaine. It is one of the most common and widespread members of the genus Apamea in North America. The species is notable for its extensive transcontinental distribution across diverse habitats from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Apamea siskiyou
Siskiyou cutworm
Apamea siskiyou is a noctuid moth species described in 2009 from the Siskiyou Mountains region of the Pacific Northwest. The specific epithet references the Siskiyou Mountains, a mountain range spanning the California-Oregon border. As a recently described species, its biology remains poorly documented.
Apamea spaldingi
Spalding's Quaker
Apamea spaldingi, commonly known as Spalding's Quaker, is a noctuid moth native to interior western North America. First described by John Bernhardt Smith in 1909, it is a relatively small cutworm moth with distinctive early-season flight timing compared to congeners. The species is recognized by its mottled grey forewings and lighter hindwings.
Apamea unita
Apamea unita is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Smith in 1904. It occurs in western North America, with a documented range extending from Alberta, Canada southward to Arizona, United States. Like other members of the genus Apamea, it belongs to a group of cutworm moths that are often challenging to identify due to individual variation and overlapping morphological traits with congeners. The species is represented by relatively few observations, with limited published information on its biology.
Apamea vulgaris
Common Apamea Moth, common apamea
Apamea vulgaris, commonly known as the Common Apamea Moth, is a noctuid moth found in eastern and central North America. Adults are active from May to July and have a wingspan of approximately 39 mm. The species belongs to the cutworm moth genus Apamea, a group known for being difficult to identify due to individual variation and overlapping morphological features among closely related species.
Apamea xylodes
Apamea xylodes is a cutworm moth species in the family Noctuidae, described by Mikkola and Lafontaine in 2009. As a member of the genus Apamea, it belongs to a group of noctuid moths that are notoriously difficult to identify due to individual variation and overlapping morphological characteristics with congeners. The species is known from North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited.
Apamea zeta
Northern Arches, Zeta Moth
Apamea zeta is a medium-sized noctuid moth with a Holarctic distribution spanning Europe and northern North America. Adults are active from July to August in Britain and display variable gray-green forewings with distinctive black markings. The species exhibits notable morphological variation across its range, with several described forms and subspecies. Larvae are cutworms that feed on grasses, including fescues in alpine tundra habitats.
Apsaphida
Apsaphida is a monotypic moth genus in the family Noctuidae, established by John G. Franclemont in 1973. It contains a single species, Apsaphida eremna, known only from Arizona. The genus belongs to the subfamily Noctuinae, one of the largest groups of owlet moths. Very little is known about its biology or ecology.
Archytas marmoratus
marbled bristle fly
Archytas marmoratus is a tachinid bristle fly and member of the marmoratus species group. It is a larval-pupal parasitoid of noctuid moth caterpillars, particularly the corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) and fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda). In 1986, it was successfully employed in biological control programs against the fall armyworm. The species has been used in inundative release programs, achieving parasitism rates exceeding 90% in isolated corn fields.
Argentostiria
Argentostiria is a monotypic moth genus in the family Noctuidae, established by Robert W. Poole in 1995. The genus contains a single species, Argentostiria koebelei, described by Riley in 1893. It is endemic to the Mojave Desert of the United States.
Argillophora furcilla
Forked Halter Moth
Argillophora furcilla is a noctuid moth species in the subfamily Acontiinae, described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873. The species is known by the common name Forked Halter Moth. It occurs in North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in available sources. The genus Argillophora is small and not well studied, with limited published information on life history traits.
Argyrogramma verruca
Golden Looper Moth, golden looper
Argyrogramma verruca is a noctuid moth commonly known as the golden looper moth. The species exhibits a broad New World distribution spanning North, Central, and South America, with additional records from Hawaii. Adults are relatively small with a wingspan of approximately 28 mm. The common name references the larval 'looper' form characteristic of many Plusiinae.