Nocturnal
Guides
Euxoa costata
Euxoa costata is a noctuid moth species found in the Pacific Northwest of North America. It is particularly abundant in ponderosa pine forests east of the Cascade Mountains. The species has a wingspan of approximately 34 mm. Like other members of the genus Euxoa, it is a nocturnal species attracted to light.
Euxoa inconcinna
cutworm, dart moth
Euxoa inconcinna is a species of cutworm moth in the family Noctuidae. It is found in North America and has been recorded in Colorado. The species is part of a large genus of dart moths, many of which are agricultural pests as larvae. Adults are attracted to light sources.
Euxoa lineifrons
Euxoa lineifrons is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. The species was described by Smith in 1890. Like other Euxoa species, it is a nocturnal moth whose larvae are known as cutworms. The MONA or Hodges number for this species is 10784, a standardized numbering system used for North American Lepidoptera identification.
Euxoa medialis
median-banded dart
Euxoa medialis, the median-banded dart, is a noctuid moth first described by Smith in 1888. It occurs across western North America from southern Manitoba to south-central Mexico. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 40 mm and are active in September in Alberta. The species belongs to the cutworm moth genus Euxoa, whose larvae are agricultural pests.
Euxoa mimallonis
Sordid Dart, Ruddy-winged Dart
Euxoa mimallonis is a noctuid moth known by the common names Sordid Dart and Ruddy-winged Dart. The species occurs across North America with a broad transcontinental range spanning from the Atlantic to the Pacific coasts. Adults are active from July through September, with a single generation per year. The species belongs to a genus containing numerous cutworm species, though specific larval ecology for this species is not well documented.
Euxoa ochrogaster
red-backed cutworm, red-backed cutworm moth
Euxoa ochrogaster, the red-backed cutworm, is a Noctuidae moth with a Holarctic distribution spanning Iceland, northern Europe, and North America from Alaska to Newfoundland and south to Arizona and New Mexico. Adults are active from late July to early September, with flight phenology tied to accumulated degree-days above 12.5°C. The larvae are generalist feeders on broad-leaved plants and grasses, including Plantago species, and are economically significant as pests of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in North America. Laboratory studies indicate eggs possess a moderately severe diapause terminated more quickly at 5°C, with development rates varying inversely with temperature.
Euxoa pleuritica
fawn brown dart
Euxoa pleuritica is a noctuid moth known as the fawn brown dart, found across northern North America from southern Canada through the northern United States. The species is listed as a species of special concern in Connecticut. Adults are active during summer months, with one generation per year. Larvae have been documented feeding on Salsola kali.
Euxoa serricornis
cutworm, dart moth
Euxoa serricornis is a species of cutworm moth in the family Noctuidae, found in North America. It belongs to a genus whose larvae are known as cutworms—generalist feeders that sever plant stems at or near the soil surface. The species is one of many Euxoa spp. that can be agricultural pests, though specific documentation of E. serricornis damage is sparse. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light.
Euxoa servitus
Slave Dart
Euxoa servitus, commonly known as the slave dart, is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It is one of many Euxoa species that can damage agricultural crops, particularly small grains and sorghum. The larvae are typical cutworms that feed at night and hide in soil during the day. The species is assigned MONA (Moth Photographers Group) or Hodges number 10854.
Euxoa simona
cutworm moth, dart moth
Euxoa simona is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1932. It belongs to the large genus Euxoa, which contains numerous similar-looking species of owlet moths. The species is known from North America, with confirmed records from the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Like other Euxoa species, it is nocturnal and attracted to light sources.
Euxoa terrenus
cutworm, dart moth
Euxoa terrenus is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It occurs in North America, where the larvae feed as generalist herbivores on various plants. The species is one of many Euxoa species known as cutworms, with larvae that typically feed at night and hide in soil during the day. Adult moths are nocturnal and attracted to light.
Faculta
Palo Verde Webworm (F. inaequalis)
Faculta is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, established by Busck in 1939. The genus contains three described species: F. inaequalis, F. synthetica, and F. triangulella. F. inaequalis, commonly known as the Palo Verde Webworm, is the best-known species due to its conspicuous larval behavior of spinning silken tubes on host trees. The genus is restricted to arid regions of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico.
Faculta inaequalis
Palo Verde webworm
Faculta inaequalis is a small gelechiid moth commonly known as the Palo Verde webworm. The species is endemic to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, where its larvae construct conspicuous silken tubes on Palo Verde trees. Despite being abundant and easily observed, many aspects of its biology remain poorly documented. The moth poses no significant economic threat to its host plants.
Fania nanus
Fania nanus is a small moth in the family Cossidae, described by Strecker in 1876. It is known from a limited distribution in the southern United States, with records from Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Adults are active from May to August and have a wingspan of approximately 28 mm.
Feralia februalis
A small noctuid moth of the Pacific West, notable for its sea-green mottled coloration that resembles lichen. Adults fly from late winter through early spring and are strongly attracted to lights. The species is narrowly endemic to oak-associated habitats and has been identified as management-sensitive due to its dependence on Quercus species as larval host plants.
Fissicrambus
Grass-veneers
Fissicrambus is a genus of grass-veneer moths in the family Crambidae, established by Bleszynski in 1963. The genus contains approximately 17 described species distributed primarily in North America. Several species, notably F. mutabilis, are recognized as agricultural pests of turfgrass, wheat, and corn. Larvae are commonly known as sod webworms due to their habit of constructing silk-lined burrows in soil.
Flatormenis
Northern Flatid Planthopper
Flatormenis is a genus of flatid planthoppers in the family Flatidae, established by Melichar in 1923. The genus contains approximately 15 described species distributed across North and Central America. These planthoppers are characterized by their broad, flattened bodies and wings held in a tent-like or roof-like position over the body. They are nocturnally active and frequently attracted to artificial light sources.
Flatormenis proxima
Northern Flatid Planthopper, Mealy Flatid Planthopper
Flatormenis proxima, commonly known as the northern flatid planthopper or mealy flatid planthopper, is a species of flatid planthopper in the family Flatidae. The species is attracted to blacklights and has been documented in autumn blacklight surveys in North America. As a member of the order Hemiptera, it possesses piercing-sucking mouthparts characteristic of true bugs.
Forficula auricularia
European earwig, common earwig
Forficula auricularia is an omnivorous earwig native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa, now invasive across North America, Australia, and New Zealand. It is recognized by forceps-like cerci—curved in males, straight in females—and concealed hindwings that unfold to resemble human ears, inspiring both its common name and specific epithet. The species exhibits extended maternal care, with females guarding eggs and nymphs in underground nests. Population dynamics vary geographically: temperate populations typically produce one brood annually, while warmer regions may support two broods.
Forficulidae
common earwigs
Forficulidae is a large family of earwigs containing over 70 genera and more than 500 described species. Members possess the characteristic forceps-like cerci at the abdomen tip that define the order Dermaptera. The family includes notable species such as the European earwig (Forficula auricularia), which has been introduced globally and studied extensively for its agricultural impacts. Forficulidae was formerly treated as a suborder (Forficulina) but is now classified within the suborder Neodermaptera.
Galgula
The Wedgling
Galgula is a genus of noctuid moths comprising at least three described species. The most well-documented species, Galgula partita, has been observed visiting apple flowers and contributing to nocturnal pollination of agricultural crops. These moths are small, nocturnal insects attracted to ultraviolet light sources. The genus belongs to the subfamily Noctuinae within the large family Noctuidae.
Galgula partita
Wedgling Moth
A small noctuid moth with a wingspan of 20–26 mm, found across North America south to Guatemala and the Caribbean, with introduced populations on the Azores, Madeira, and Canary Islands. Adults are active from March to November in southern regions and May to September in northern regions, with multiple generations per year. Larvae feed on Oxalis species. The species has been documented as a nocturnal visitor to apple flowers, contributing to pollination services.
Galleria mellonella
Greater Wax Moth, Honeycomb Moth
Galleria mellonella is a globally distributed moth in the family Pyralidae, best known as a destructive pest of honeybee colonies. The larvae tunnel through honeycomb, consuming wax, pollen, honey, and cast skins of bee larvae, causing significant economic damage to apiculture. Adults are nocturnal, with males producing ultrasonic mating calls at 75 kHz. The species has become an important model organism in biomedical research due to its innate immune system functionally similar to mammals, and has attracted recent attention for the ability of its larvae to degrade polyethylene plastic through salivary enzymes.
Gammarotettix genitalis
Gammarotettix genitalis is a camel cricket species described by Caudell in 1916. It belongs to the subfamily Gammarotettiginae, a group of North American camel crickets characterized by distinctive genitalic features. The species has been documented across California with over 400 iNaturalist observations. It inhabits dark, moist microhabitats typical of rhaphidophorid crickets.
Gazoryctra novigannus
Smooth Ghost Moth
Gazoryctra novigannus, commonly known as the Smooth Ghost Moth, is a species of ghost moth in the family Hepialidae. It was first described by William Barnes and Foster Hendrickson Benjamin in 1926. The species occurs across western and central North America, from Quebec westward to the Rocky Mountains and south to Arizona. As with other hepialid moths, adults are non-feeding and larvae are presumed to feed on roots or decaying organic matter, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Geolycosa
Burrowing Wolf Spiders
Geolycosa is a genus of burrowing wolf spiders (family Lycosidae) established by Montgomery in 1904. These spiders are characterized by their obligate burrowing lifestyle, constructing deep cylindrical burrows in sandy or loose soils. Some species build distinctive turrets around burrow openings using sticks and debris. The genus includes approximately 70 species distributed across North America, with some species extending into the Levant. Geolycosa species are medium to large spiders with morphological adaptations for digging, including enlarged chelicerae and stout anterior legs.
Geolycosa escambiensis
Geolycosa escambiensis is a burrowing wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, described by Wallace in 1942. Like other members of the genus Geolycosa, this species constructs deep, silk-lined burrows in sandy soils and spends the majority of its life underground. The species is known from the southeastern United States, with the specific epithet suggesting a connection to Escambia County or the Escambia River region. Burrowing wolf spiders are characterized by their enlarged anterior median eyes, stout front legs adapted for digging, and elevated cephalothorax.
Geolycosa gosoga
Geolycosa gosoga is a species of burrowing wolf spider in the family Lycosidae. It is endemic to the United States, with records from the southwestern and south-central regions including New Mexico and surrounding areas. As a member of the genus Geolycosa, it constructs deep, silk-lined burrows in sandy soils and is primarily nocturnal.
Geolycosa micanopy
Geolycosa micanopy is a burrowing wolf spider species in the family Lycosidae, described by Wallace in 1942. It is known from the United States. As a member of the genus Geolycosa, it constructs deep, silk-lined burrows in sandy substrates. A laboratory study has examined burrow establishment behavior in young individuals of this species in relation to microhabitat conditions and prey availability.
Geolycosa pikei
Pike's Burrowing Wolf Spider
Geolycosa pikei is a burrowing wolf spider endemic to the United States, characterized by its cryptic sandy coloration and specialized fossorial lifestyle. The species constructs deep, silk-lined burrows in sandy substrates, primarily along seashores but also inland. It exhibits rapid wound healing through hemolymph coagulation. Females are larger (18–22 mm) than males (~14 mm). The spider is primarily nocturnal, hunting at dusk by running over sand surfaces.
Geolycosa rafaelana
Rafaela Burrowing Wolf Spider
Geolycosa rafaelana is a burrowing wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, found in western desert and scrubland habitats of the United States. As a member of the genus Geolycosa, it constructs deep, silk-lined burrows in sandy soils and is primarily nocturnal. The species was described by Chamberlin in 1928 and appears to be associated with arid environments in the southwestern U.S.
Geolycosa riograndae
Geolycosa riograndae is a species of burrowing wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, first described by Wallace in 1942. It belongs to a genus characterized by deep, silk-lined burrows and fossorial habits. The species is known from the United States, with records primarily from the southwestern region including New Mexico. Like other Geolycosa species, it exhibits the elevated cephalothorax and stout digging appendages typical of burrowing wolf spiders.
Geolycosa xera archboldi
Archbold's Burrowing Wolf Spider
Geolycosa xera archboldi is a subspecies of burrowing wolf spider in the family Lycosidae. Like other members of the genus Geolycosa, it constructs and inhabits deep, silk-lined burrows in sandy soils. The subspecies designation suggests geographic isolation and potential ecological specialization. Adults are nocturnal hunters that may be detected at night by the reflective glow of their eyes when illuminated by artificial light.
Geotrupes stercorarius
dor beetle, dumbledore, Common Dor Beetle
Geotrupes stercorarius is an earth-boring dung beetle in the family Geotrupidae, commonly known as the dor beetle or dumbledore. It is widespread throughout Europe and has been introduced to parts of North America. Adults are coprophagous, feeding primarily on the dung of herbivorous animals with a documented preference for horse dung. The species exhibits distinctive parental care behavior, with both sexes cooperating to construct deep burrows beneath dung and provision brood chambers for larval development.
Gertschosa
Gertschosa is a genus of ground spiders in the family Gnaphosidae, established by Norman I. Platnick and M. U. Shadab in 1981. The genus contains four species distributed across the Caribbean, Central America, and southern North America. Its members are nocturnal hunting spiders that do not construct webs for prey capture.
Gillmeria pallidactyla
Yarrow Plume Moth
Gillmeria pallidactyla, commonly known as the Yarrow Plume Moth, is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae. It has a Holarctic distribution across North America and Eurasia. Adults are active from June to August, hiding in low vegetation during daylight hours and becoming active at dusk. The larvae are stem borers that overwinter in roots and feed on Achillea species in spring.
Givira theodori
Theodore Carpenterworm Moth
Givira theodori is a moth in the family Cossidae, commonly known as carpenter millers. It is found in the southwestern United States, with records from Arizona, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas. The species was named in honor of Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell, who collected the original specimens. It is a relatively small cossid moth with a wingspan of approximately 26 mm.
Glaresis
Enigmatic Scarab Beetles
Glaresis is a genus of small beetles in the family Glaresidae, commonly called "enigmatic scarab beetles." These beetles are closely related to Scarabaeidae but are placed in their own family based on distinctive morphological features. Adults are nocturnal and have been collected at lights in arid and sandy habitats worldwide except Australia. The larvae and most aspects of their biology remain unknown despite unsuccessful laboratory rearing attempts in the 1980s.
Gloveria medusa
Medusa Moth
Gloveria medusa is a species of lappet moth in the family Lasiocampidae, described by Strecker in 1898. The species epithet references Medusa from Greek mythology, reflecting a naming pattern in the genus Gloveria. As a member of the Lasiocampidae family, it is a medium to large-sized moth with larvae that possess characteristic lappets (fleshy projections) along their bodies. The genus Gloveria is named in honor of entomologist Townend Glover.
Gluphisia
Gluphisia is a genus of moths in the family Notodontidae, first described by Boisduval in 1828. Species in this genus are commonly referred to as 'prominent moths' and are attracted to artificial light sources, including blacklights used in moth surveys. The genus includes six recognized species distributed across North America and Eurasia.
Gluphisia avimacula
Four-spotted Gluphisia Moth, four-spotted gluphisium, avimacula pebble
Gluphisia avimacula is a species of prominent moth in the family Notodontidae, first described by George H. Hudson in 1891. It is distributed across North America, with confirmed records from Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) and the United States (Vermont). The species is attracted to ultraviolet light sources and is active during summer months. Like other members of the genus Gluphisia, it is a nocturnal moth with distinctive wing patterning.
Gluphisia septentrionis
Common Gluphisia Moth
Gluphisia septentrionis is a species of prominent moth in the family Notodontidae, commonly known as the Common Gluphisia Moth. It is a North American species with a broad distribution across northern and central regions of the continent. The species is frequently attracted to ultraviolet light sources, making it a common subject of observation during moth-watching events. It is one of the more frequently observed members of its genus, with substantial occurrence records in citizen science databases.
Gluphisia severa
Banded Pebble Moth
Gluphisia severa is a North American moth in the family Notodontidae, commonly known as the banded pebble moth. First described by Henry Edwards in 1886, it is one of approximately 3,800 species of prominent moths. The species has been documented through citizen science platforms with over 475 observations, indicating it is regularly encountered by observers. Like other members of the genus Gluphisia, it is nocturnal and attracted to artificial light sources.
Gnaphalodes trachyderoides
A longhorn beetle and the sole species in its genus, characterized by a robust, somewhat flattened body and antennae that are notably shorter than those of many cerambycids. The species name 'trachyderoides' references its resemblance to the genus Trachyderes. It occurs from the southwestern United States through Mexico and Central America.
Gnaphosidae
Ground spiders, Stealthy Ground Spiders
Ground spiders (family Gnaphosidae) comprise nearly 2,000 described species in over 100 genera, making them the seventh-largest spider family worldwide. They are characterized by cylindrical spinnerets at the tip of the abdomen, often described as 'showerhead-like' with multiple orifices for silk extrusion. Most species are nomadic hunters that do not construct webs to capture prey, instead prowling through leaf litter, ground cover, and vegetation. Many are agile climbers and can be found on foliage, walls, and tree trunks. The family includes notable genera such as Sergiolus, Herpyllus, Gnaphosa, and Zelotes.
Gnorimoschema gallaeasterella
Gnorimoschema gallaeasterella is a small gelechiid moth described by D.S. Kellicott in 1878. The species is known for forming spindle-shaped galls on its host plants. It occurs across a broad geographic range in North America, with records spanning from Quebec and Alberta in Canada south to California and Tennessee. Adults are active from summer through early autumn.
Gonodonta bidens
fruit-piercing moth
Gonodonta bidens is a fruit-piercing moth in the family Erebidae, found in North America. The species is classified under the MONA/Hodges number 8542.1. Three subspecies are recognized: G. b. bidens, G. b. meridionalis (Todd, 1959), and G. b. tenebrosa (Todd, 1959). As a member of the genus Gonodonta, it belongs to a group of moths known for their specialized feeding behavior on ripe or overripe fruit.
Graphisurus
Graphisurus is a genus of longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae) containing five North American species. Members are medium-sized beetles with distinctive elytral patterning. The genus exhibits notable host plant fidelity, with individual species specializing on particular tree genera: G. triangulifer primarily on Celtis (hackberry), G. despectus on Carya (hickory), and G. fasciatus on Quercus (oak). Adults are typically nocturnal and attracted to lights.
Griburius rileyi
Bold-spotted Griburius
Griburius rileyi is a recently described species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Cryptocephalinae. The species was described by Sassi in 2023 and is distinguished by bold spotted patterns on its elytra. Like other members of the genus Griburius, adults are associated with oak woodlands and are attracted to ultraviolet light sources. The specific epithet honors Edward Riley, a prominent coleopterist and indefatigable collector of beetles, particularly known for his contributions to cerambycid and chrysomelid taxonomy.
Grotella binda
Grotella binda is a noctuid moth species described by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1907. It belongs to the genus Grotella within the subfamily Grotellinae. The species is documented from North America, with Arizona as its type locality. Like other members of its genus, it is a small to medium-sized moth active at night.