Nocturnal-pollinator
Guides
Eupithecia rotundopuncta
Eupithecia rotundopuncta is a small moth in the family Geometridae, first described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1871. It is native to western North America, ranging from Arizona to the Pacific coast and north to Vancouver Island. The species has been documented as a nocturnal pollinator of apple flowers, contributing to nighttime pollination services in agricultural settings. As a member of the genus Eupithecia, it shares the characteristic narrow-winged morphology and resting posture typical of 'pug' moths.
Eupithecia russeliata
A small North American geometrid moth first described in 1908. Adults are active from May through October and have been documented visiting apple flowers at night, contributing to nocturnal pollination. The species is widespread across Canada and the United States, with larvae feeding on spruce and possibly other conifers.
Eupithecia scabrogata
Pug moth
Eupithecia scabrogata is a small geometrid moth described by Pearsall in 1912. It occurs in western North America from British Columbia south to California and Arizona. Adults are active primarily from November through March, with a possible second generation in May. The species has been documented visiting apple flowers at night, contributing to nocturnal pollination services.
Eupithecia sheppardata
Alder Looper
Eupithecia sheppardata is a small geometrid moth in the family Geometridae, first described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1938. It belongs to the large genus Eupithecia, commonly known as 'pugs,' characterized by narrow wings and a distinctive resting posture. The species has been documented as a nocturnal visitor to apple flowers, contributing to pollination services. It occurs in northeastern North America.
Eupithecia shirleyata
Shirley's Pug
Eupithecia shirleyata is a small geometrid moth, commonly known as a 'pug' moth, first described from the southwestern United States in 1922. The species exhibits a characteristic narrow-winged resting posture typical of its genus. Adults are active during winter months, with flight records spanning from late November through early April. The species has been documented visiting apple flowers, indicating a potential role in nocturnal pollination.
Eupithecia sonora
Eupithecia sonora is a small geometrid moth described in 2008, known from limited localities in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It belongs to the diverse genus Eupithecia, commonly called "pugs," which are characterized by narrow wings and distinctive resting postures. The species exhibits slight sexual dimorphism in forewing length.
Eupithecia spermaphaga
fir cone looper
Eupithecia spermaphaga is a small geometrid moth native to western North America. The species is notable for its specialized larval biology: caterpillars bore into and feed within the cones of fir and Douglas-fir trees. Adults are active across multiple months from spring through fall, with records spanning March through October. The species has been documented visiting apple flowers at night, contributing to nocturnal pollination services.
Eupithecia stellata
stellate pug
Eupithecia stellata is a small moth in the family Geometridae, first described by George Duryea Hulst in 1896. It belongs to the large genus Eupithecia, commonly known as "pug" moths. The species occurs across western North America from central Canada to Mexico. Adults have been documented visiting apple flowers at night, contributing to nocturnal pollination services in agricultural settings.
Eupithecia strattonata
Spirea Looper
Eupithecia strattonata, commonly known as the Spirea Looper, is a small geometrid moth found in eastern North America. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 17 mm and are active during June and July. The species inhabits damp, open wetlands including marshes, bogs, and abandoned pastures. Larvae feed on Alnus (alders) and Spiraea species, with one documented instance of feeding on Actaea rubra fruit. The species has been documented visiting apple flowers, contributing to nocturnal pollination services.
Eupithecia subapicata
Pug moth
Eupithecia subapicata is a small geometrid moth in the family Geometridae, first described by Achille Guenée in 1857. It is native to the western United States, ranging from California through Oregon to Washington. The species is characterized by narrow wings and a distinctive resting posture typical of pug moths. Adults have been recorded on wing from January through July, with a wingspan of approximately 22–26 mm.
Eupithecia subcolorata
Eupithecia subcolorata is a small moth in the family Geometridae, first described by George Duryea Hulst in 1898. It belongs to the large genus Eupithecia, commonly known as 'pug' moths, characterized by narrow wings and distinctive resting postures. The species occurs in western North America and has been documented as a nocturnal visitor to flowers, including apple blossoms.
Eupithecia swettii
Swett's Pug
Eupithecia swettii is a small geometrid moth commonly known as Swett's Pug. It belongs to the diverse 'pug' group within the genus Eupithecia, characterized by narrow wings and a distinctive resting posture. The species occurs in eastern North America and has been documented visiting apple flowers, contributing to nocturnal pollination services.
Eupithecia tenuata
Pug moth
Eupithecia tenuata is a small pug moth in the family Geometridae, first described from western North America in 1880. The species occurs from southern British Columbia through the Rocky Mountains to Arizona and New Mexico. Adults are active in mid-summer and have been documented visiting apple flowers at night, contributing to nocturnal pollination of fruit crops.
Eupithecia vitreotata
Eupithecia vitreotata is a small geometrid moth described by Samuel E. Cassino in 1927. It belongs to the diverse 'pug' genus Eupithecia, characterized by narrow wings and a distinctive resting posture. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and has been documented visiting apple flowers, contributing to nocturnal pollination.
Manduca
hornworms, hawkmoths, sphinx moths
Manduca is a genus of hawkmoths (Sphingidae) established by Jacob Hübner in 1807. The genus contains approximately 70 species distributed primarily in the Americas. Several species, notably Manduca sexta (tobacco hornworm) and M. quinquemaculata (tomato hornworm), are extensively studied as model organisms in biological research due to their large size and ease of laboratory rearing. The larvae, commonly called hornworms, are significant agricultural pests of solanaceous crops.
Mythimna
Armyworm moths
Mythimna is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as armyworm moths. Several species are significant agricultural pests, with larvae that feed on cereal crops, corn, rice, and other grasses. The genus has a global distribution spanning Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Australasia. Notable species include M. unipuncta (true armyworm), M. separata (Oriental armyworm), and M. loreyi, all of which cause economic damage to major food crops. Adult moths have been documented as nocturnal pollinators of apple flowers and other crops.
Peridroma
variegated cutworm moth
Peridroma is a genus of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Noctuinae. The genus includes approximately 12 described species, with Peridroma saucia (variegated cutworm) being the most economically significant due to its status as a widespread agricultural pest. Species in this genus are found across North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, with some species introduced to new regions. The genus is characterized by medium-sized moths with relatively stout bodies and cryptic coloration typical of noctuine moths.
Peridroma saucia
Variegated Cutworm, Pearly Underwing, False Black Cutworm Moth
Peridroma saucia is a highly polyphagous noctuid moth with a nearly cosmopolitan distribution across temperate and subtropical regions. The species is a significant agricultural pest, with larvae feeding on numerous crop plants including vegetables, fruits, and field crops. Adults are migratory, moving northward in spring and returning south in autumn, with 2–4 generations per year depending on latitude. Recent research has documented its role as a nocturnal pollinator of apple and other crops, revealing ecological functions beyond its pest status.
Udea rubigalis
Celery Leaftier, Greenhouse Leaftier
Udea rubigalis is a small moth in the family Crambidae, commonly known as the celery leaftier or greenhouse leaftier. The species occurs throughout the Americas, from North America through Central and South America. Larvae are polyphagous and feed on a wide variety of plants across multiple families. Adults have been documented visiting apple flowers, where they may contribute to nocturnal pollination.