Noctuoidea
Guides
Aglaonice
Aglaonice is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Hypeninae, established by Möschler in 1890. The genus is named after an ancient Thessalian figure associated with astronomical knowledge. The genus contains species found in tropical regions.
Agylla
Agylla is a genus of moths in the subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae, established by Francis Walker in 1854. These moths belong to the tribe Lithosiini, commonly known as footman moths. The genus contains numerous species distributed across various regions. Agylla moths are part of a diverse group of tiger moths and their relatives.
Antiblemma carolae
Antiblemma carolae is a moth species in the family Erebidae, described by Troubridge in 2020. The species belongs to the genus Antiblemma, a group of underwing moths within the subfamily Eulepidotinae. As a recently described species, detailed information about its biology and distribution remains limited.
Apantesis figurata
Figured Tiger Moth
Apantesis figurata, commonly known as the figured tiger moth, is a North American moth in the family Erebidae. First described by Dru Drury in 1773, this species was formerly classified under the genus Grammia before being moved to Apantesis along with related tiger moth genera. It exhibits geographic variation in generation number, with two generations annually in northern Ohio and a single generation further north.
Argyrostrotis flavistriaria
Yellow-lined Chocolate Moth
Argyrostrotis flavistriaria, commonly known as the yellow-lined chocolate moth, is a nocturnal moth species in the family Erebidae. First described by Jacob Hübner in 1831, it is primarily distributed in the southeastern United States. The species is notable for its specialized larval host relationship with Cyrilla racemiflora.
Ascalapha odorata
black witch, black witch moth, mariposa de la muerte, duppy bat, mariposa-bruxa, ura, money moth, money bat
The black witch moth (Ascalapha odorata) is a large, bat-shaped nocturnal moth and the largest noctuoid in the continental United States. Females reach wingspans up to 24 cm, while males are smaller at approximately 12 cm. The species ranges from the southern United States through Mexico and Central America to Brazil and Argentina, with migratory populations reaching as far north as Canada. It holds prominent cultural significance across Latin America and the Caribbean, where it is widely associated with death, misfortune, and spiritual beliefs.
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Aventiini is a tribe of moths within the subfamily Boletobiinae of the family Erebidae. The tribe comprises nocturnal species that are part of the diverse Noctuoidea superfamily. Members of this tribe are characterized by their placement in the erebid moth lineage, though specific unifying morphological traits remain poorly documented in available literature.
Azeta schausi
Azeta schausi is a moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by Barnes and Benjamin in 1924. It is native to North America and has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 8576. The species was originally described under the basionym Anticarsia schausi. It should not be confused with Bulia schausi, a different moth species from the family Noctuidae that has been intercepted at U.S. ports of entry.
Baileya
Desert Marigolds
Baileya is a genus of moths in the family Nolidae, subfamily Risobinae, established by Grote in 1895. The genus includes species commonly known as 'desert marigolds,' a name shared with an unrelated plant genus of the same name. The moths are found in North America, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The genus name creates potential for confusion with Baileya (Asteraceae), a genus of desert wildflowers.
Baileya acadiana
Baileya acadiana is a moth in the family Nolidae, described by Vernon A. Brou in 2004. The species is restricted to the south-central United States, with records from Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Adults exhibit three generations per year in Louisiana, with broods peaking at approximately sixty-day intervals beginning in early April. The specific epithet "acadiana" refers to the Acadiana region of Louisiana, reflecting the area where the type series was collected.
Baileya australis
Small Baileya Moth
Baileya australis is a small moth in the family Nolidae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1881. The species occurs across eastern and central North America, with adults active from spring through late summer. Multiple generations are produced annually in southern portions of its range.
Baileya doubledayi
Doubleday's Baileya Moth, Doubleday's baileya
Baileya doubledayi, commonly known as Doubleday's Baileya Moth, is a species of nolid moth in the family Nolidae. The species was first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. It is found across North America, with confirmed records from Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) and the United States (Vermont). The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 8969.
Baileya levitans
Pale Baileya Moth, pale baileya
Baileya levitans is a nolid moth in the family Nolidae, described by Smith in 1906. It is one of several species in the genus Baileya found in North America. The species is known from 788 iNaturalist observations and has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 8972. It occurs in the order Lepidoptera, which includes all butterflies and moths.
Baniana
Baniana is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, established by Walker in 1858. The genus was previously placed in the subfamily Calpinae of the family Noctuidae before taxonomic reclassification. It contains approximately 50 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropics. The genus is characterized by distinctive wing venation and palp structure.
Bleptina flavivena
Bleptina flavivena is a species of moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Herminiinae, described by Troubridge in 2020. It belongs to a genus of litter moths, though specific details about its biology remain limited due to its recent description. The species epithet 'flavivena' suggests a yellowish vein pattern on the wings, a characteristic feature of this taxon.
Caenurgia
Caenurgia is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, established by Walker in 1858. The genus contains several recognized species distributed primarily in the Americas, with C. chloropha being one of the more widely documented members. Species in this genus are part of the diverse Erebinae subfamily, which includes many nocturnal moth species.
Callistege triangula
Callistege triangula is a moth in the family Erebidae, first described in 1918. It occurs in the southwestern United States, with documented records from Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Adults are active during late summer, with flight records from August to September. The species has a wingspan of approximately 30 mm.
Calyptis
Calyptis is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Erebinae. The genus was established by Guenée in 1852 and contains three recognized species distributed across tropical regions. Members are nocturnal and belong to the diverse assemblage of underwing and related moths within the superfamily Noctuoidea.
Carteris oculatalis
Dotted Carteris Moth
Carteris oculatalis is a litter moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Herminiinae. The species was described by Heinrich Benno Möschler in 1890. It is known from southern Florida, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama. The species has a MONA/Hodges number of 8391.
Catocala insolabilis
Inconsolable Underwing
Catocala insolabilis, commonly known as the inconsolable underwing, is a moth in the family Erebidae. The species was described by Achille Guenée in 1852. It is characterized by the typical underwing morphology: cryptic forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings when at rest. Adults are active from June to August with one generation per year.
Catocala nebulosa
Clouded Underwing
Catocala nebulosa is a large underwing moth native to eastern and central North America. Adults are nocturnal and active from July to September, with a single generation per year. The species exhibits the characteristic underwing defense: cryptic forewings conceal brightly patterned hindwings that are flashed to startle predators. Larvae feed on bitternut hickory and black walnut.
Catocala pretiosa texarkana
Catocala pretiosa texarkana is a subspecies of underwing moth in the family Erebidae, described by Brower in 1976. As a member of the genus Catocala, it shares the characteristic trait of cryptic, bark-mimicking forewings that conceal brightly patterned hindwings. The subspecific epithet "texarkana" suggests an association with the Texarkana region spanning Texas and Arkansas. Like other underwing moths, it is nocturnal and attracted to light sources.
Catocala residua
Residua Underwing
Catocala residua is a North American underwing moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1874. Adults are medium-sized with a wingspan of 60–73 mm and are active from July to September. The species is distinguished by its cryptic forewings and brightly patterned hindwings characteristic of the genus Catocala.
Catocala robinsonii
Robinson's Underwing
Robinson's Underwing (Catocala robinsonii) is a medium-sized underwing moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1872. The species is characterized by cryptic forewings that conceal brightly patterned hindwings, a defensive trait common to the genus Catocala. It occurs primarily in eastern and central North America, with larvae specializing on hardwood trees including hickory, walnut, and oak.
Cecharismena cara
Cecharismena cara is a species of moth in the family Erebidae, described by Möschler in 1890. The species is known to occur in North America. It belongs to the subfamily Calpinae within the diverse noctuoid moth superfamily. Very little specific information about its biology, ecology, or appearance has been documented in accessible sources.
Cephalospargeta
Cephalospargeta is a monotypic moth genus in the family Nolidae, established by Möschler in 1890. It contains a single species, Cephalospargeta elongata, which occurs in the southern United States (Texas) and Caribbean islands (Puerto Rico, Jamaica). The genus was historically classified in Noctuidae but has been reassigned to Nolidae based on phylogenetic revisions.
Cissusa
Cissusa is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Calpinae. The genus was established by Francis Walker in 1856 and contains at least five recognized species distributed in the Americas. Species include Cissusa spadix (originally described by Cramer in 1780), Cissusa mucronata (Grote, 1883), Cissusa valens (H. Edwards, 1881), Cissusa indiscreta (H. Edwards, 1886), and Cissusa inconspicua (Schaus, 1894). The genus is placed within the diverse erebid moth fauna and has been subject to taxonomic revision, with one former species (Cissusa subtermina) reassigned.
Collomeninae
Collomeninae is a subfamily of moths within the family Nolidae, established in 2012 by Zahiri, Lafontaine, and Schmidt. The subfamily comprises approximately ten genera distributed primarily in tropical regions of South America and Southeast Asia. The type genus is Collomena. The subfamily is distinguished from other Nolidae by a combination of morphological characters related to wing venation and genitalia structure.
Composia
Tiger moths
Composia is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, established by Jacob Hübner in 1820. The genus contains at least three described species: Composia credula, Composia fidelissima, and Composia utowana. These moths belong to the subfamily Arctiinae, a group historically treated as the family Arctiidae but now classified within Erebidae. Members are found in the Americas, with records primarily from North America and the Neotropics.
Concana
Concana is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae (subfamily Calpinae), established by Francis Walker in 1858. The genus contains at least four described species distributed from the southeastern United States through the Caribbean and Central America to Brazil. Species within this genus have been documented from Florida, Costa Rica, and various Antillean islands. The genus belongs to the diverse noctuoid moth fauna of the Neotropical and Nearctic regions.
Cosmia
pinion moths
Cosmia is a genus of noctuid moths comprising approximately 35 described species distributed across the Palaearctic region. The genus includes notable species such as the dun-bar (C. trapezina), lunar-spotted pinion (C. pyralina), and white-spotted pinion (C. diffinis). Several species are associated with elm trees, and at least one species (C. pyralina) has experienced population decline in Britain linked to Dutch elm disease affecting its host plants. The genome of C. pyralina has been sequenced, revealing a 803.3 Mb assembly with 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules.
Cosmia elisae
cutworm moth, dart moth
Cosmia elisae is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Lafontaine and Troubridge in 2003. It is native to North America and is assigned the MONA/Hodges number 9814.1. As a member of the genus Cosmia, it belongs to a group of noctuid moths commonly known as dagger moths or cutworms. The species remains poorly documented in scientific literature beyond its original description and basic taxonomic classification.
Datana californica
California Datana
Datana californica is a moth species in the family Notodontidae, first described by Dyar in 1890. It is native to California and belongs to a genus whose larvae are commonly known as 'hand-maid' or 'walnut' caterpillars due to their gregarious behavior and association with woody plants. The species is part of the subfamily Phalerinae, which includes moths with larvae that feed on various trees and shrubs.
Dichagyris socorro
Socorro cutworm moth, Socorro dart moth
Dichagyris socorro is a noctuid moth species described by William Barnes in 1904. It belongs to the cutworm or dart moth group within the family Noctuidae. The species is known from North America, with records from the southwestern United States including New Mexico. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10874. The specific epithet 'socorro' likely refers to Socorro, New Mexico, a location within its documented range.
Doryodes acta
Doryodes acta is a moth species in the family Erebidae, subfamily Erebinae, described by Troubridge in 2020. The genus Doryodes is part of a diverse group of noctuid-like moths within the superfamily Noctuoidea. As a recently described species, detailed information about its biology and ecology remains limited.
Doryodes fulva
Doryodes fulva is a species of moth in the family Erebidae, described by Troubridge in 2020. It belongs to the genus Doryodes, which comprises species of noctuid-like moths. The specific epithet 'fulva' refers to the tawny or yellowish-brown coloration typical of many species in this genus. As a recently described species, detailed biological information remains limited.
Drasteria inepta
Inept Drasteria, Inept Graphic
Drasteria inepta is a moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Edwards in 1881. It is a medium-sized moth with a wingspan of 35–43 mm. Adults are active from spring through summer across the southwestern United States.
Elousa
Elousa is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Francis Walker in 1858. The genus was historically classified within Noctuidae before being reassigned to Erebidae. It contains three currently recognized species: E. albicans, E. psegmapteryx, and E. schausi. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with several former species reclassified.
Erebidae
Underwing, Tiger, Tussock, and Allied Moths
Erebidae is among the largest families of moths by species count, encompassing diverse macromoth groups formerly classified across multiple families. The family includes underwings (Catocala), tiger moths and wasp moths (Arctiinae), tussock moths (Lymantriinae), litter moths (Herminiinae), fruit-piercing moths (Calpinae), and snout moths (Hypeninae). Adults range dramatically in size from 6 mm to over 300 mm wingspan. Coloration spans from cryptic browns and grays to vivid aposematic patterns. The family was reconstituted in 2010 through phylogenetic studies that revealed the former Noctuidae to be paraphyletic, with Arctiinae, Lymantriinae, and related lineages more closely related to each other than to core noctuids.
Erebinae
erebine moths
Erebinae is a large subfamily of moths in the family Erebidae, comprising approximately 10,000 species distributed across all continents except Antarctica, with highest diversity in tropical regions. The subfamily includes well-known groups such as underwing moths (Catocala) and witch moths (Thermesiini). Members range from medium-sized to exceptionally large, with the white witch moth (Thysania agrippina) holding the record for widest wingspan among all Lepidoptera. The subfamily was reinstated and redefined based on molecular phylogenetic studies, with several morphological synapomorphies now recognized.
Euaontia
Euaontia is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, established by Barnes and McDunnough in 1910. The genus contains two described species: Euaontia clarki and Euaontia semirufa. Its taxonomic placement has been revised, having previously been classified in the subfamily Acontiinae of Noctuidae. The genus is now placed within Erebidae, reflecting ongoing changes in noctuoid moth classification.
Euteliidae
Euteliid Moths
Euteliidae is a small family of moths in the superfamily Noctuoidea, comprising approximately 540 species globally. The family is characterized by highly specialized larval hostplant relationships with lactiferous plants containing high levels of resin or latex. Molecular phylogenetic analyses recognize two subfamilies: Euteliinae and Stictopterinae, with Stictopterinae further divided into tribes Stictopterini and Odontodini. The family has been the focus of recent taxonomic revision due to the discovery of cryptic species complexes and polyphyletic genera requiring reclassification.
Euteliinae
Euteliinae is a subfamily of moths within the family Euteliidae, superfamily Noctuoidea. The group was established by Grote in 1851. Members of this subfamily are part of a relatively small moth family with approximately 400 species worldwide. The subfamily is distinguished from the related Stictopterinae by morphological features of the adult moths.
Fala
Fala is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Stiriinae, established by Grote in 1875. The genus belongs to the tribe Stiriini and is part of the diverse noctuid moth fauna. Members of this genus are classified within the superfamily Noctuoidea, one of the largest groups of Lepidoptera. Very few observations of Fala species have been documented, with only 8 records reported to iNaturalist, suggesting either rarity, cryptic habits, or limited survey effort.
Gabara obscura
Gabara obscura is a species of owlet moth in the family Erebidae, described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1883. The species is native to North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 8518. It belongs to the subfamily Calpinae, a group of moths commonly known as underwing or related owlet moths. Available information on this species is limited to basic taxonomic and distributional records.
Gabara subnivosella
wet sand savannah moth, snowy gabara
Gabara subnivosella is a small moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Francis Walker in 1866. It is commonly known as the wet sand savannah moth or snowy gabara. The species has a wingspan of approximately 25 mm and is found in eastern North America.
Gondysia
Gondysia is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Erebinae, established by Berio in 1955. The genus contains four recognized species distributed in the Neotropical region. It was historically confused with the Old World genus Dysgonia; the New World species were separated as Neadysgonia by Sullivan in 2010, but this was later synonymized with the older name Gondysia. The genus includes G. consobrina, G. similis, G. smithii (all described by Guenée in 1852), and G. telma (described by Sullivan in 2010).
Gondysia similis
Gordonia Darkwing
Gondysia similis, commonly known as the gordonia darkwing, is a moth species in the family Erebidae. First described by Achille Guenée in 1852, this species occurs in the southeastern United States. The larvae are specialized feeders on Gordonia lasianthus (loblolly bay), a relationship that defines both its common name and ecological niche. Adults are active from spring through early autumn with multiple generations per year.
Gondysia smithii
Smith's Darkwing, Smith's Darkwing Moth
Gondysia smithii is a moth in the family Erebidae, originally described as Ophiusa smithii by Achille Guenée in 1852. It occurs in open savanna and mesic woodland habitats across the southeastern and south-central United States. The species has multiple generations annually, with adults active from spring through late summer. It was transferred from Dysgonia to the newly erected genus Gondysia in 2010 based on morphological and molecular data.
Gonodonta pyrgo
Gonodonta pyrgo is a fruit-piercing moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Pieter Cramer in 1777. It occurs in North America and is assigned Hodges number 8539. As a member of the genus Gonodonta, it belongs to a group of moths known for piercing fruit to feed on juices.