Nocturnal
Guides
Indiopsocus lacteus
Indiopsocus lacteus is a species of barklouse in the family Psocidae, described by Mockford and Young in 2015. The species name "lacteus" (milky or milk-white) likely refers to its pale coloration. Like other members of the genus Indiopsocus, it belongs to the common barklice, a group of small, soft-bodied insects often found on tree bark, rocks, and other surfaces. The species has been documented in North America, including observations in Kansas.
Indiopsocus palmatus
common barklouse
Indiopsocus palmatus is a species of barklouse in the family Psocidae, described by Mockford & Young in 2015. Barklice in this genus are small, soft-bodied insects commonly found on tree bark and foliage. They are frequently attracted to artificial light sources at night. The species name refers to a hand-like or palmate structure, likely describing a morphological feature of the species.
Insara
western bush katydids
Insara is a genus of katydids commonly known as western bush katydids, established by Walker in 1869. The genus belongs to the tribe Insarini within the subfamily Phaneropterinae of family Tettigoniidae. Species in this genus are found primarily in western North America and Mexico, with at least 20 described species recognized. The genus is notable as a host for predatory wasps, particularly Sphex lucae, which paralyzes species such as Insara elegans (elegant bush katydid) to provision its nests.
Iphthiminus
Iphthiminus is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, subfamily Tenebrioninae. The genus contains at least four described species distributed in North America. Members are primarily associated with coniferous forests, where they inhabit decaying wood and feed on fungal resources. They are nocturnal and have been observed on the trunks and stumps of recently fallen or cut pines.
Iphthiminus opacus
Cloudy Darkling Beetle
A darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, found in eastern North America from Canada through the northeastern United States. Adults are nocturnal and have been observed on coniferous trees, particularly pines. The species is part of a genus that includes several North American species associated with forested habitats.
Ipnista n-sp
Ipnista n-sp is an unidentified species of sheetweb weaver spider in the family Linyphiidae, documented from a single male specimen observed in Door County, Wisconsin. The spider was found during a nocturnal survey of building exteriors in a forested lakeshore habitat. As an unidentified male, it represents an undescribed or unrecognized species within this diverse family of small web-building spiders.
Iridopsis defectaria
Brown-shaded Gray, brown-shaded gray moth
Iridopsis defectaria is a geometrid moth commonly known as the Brown-shaded Gray. It is widely distributed across eastern and central North America, ranging from Pennsylvania west to Iowa and Kansas, south to Texas, and east to Florida. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. The species was previously classified under the genus Anacamptodes, which has since been synonymized with Iridopsis.
Isarthrus
Isarthrus is a genus of beetles in the family Eucnemidae (false click beetles), established by LeConte in 1852. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized beetles characterized by their association with decaying wood. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with only eight observations recorded on iNaturalist as of the data cutoff. Isarthrus belongs to a family whose larvae are primarily wood-borers in dead or dying hardwoods.
Ithome concolorella
kiawe flower moth
Ithome concolorella, commonly known as the kiawe flower moth, is a small microlepidopteran species in the family Cosmopterigidae. First described by V.T. Chambers in 1875, it is native to the southern United States but has been introduced to Hawaii and Ascension Island. The species has become a notable pest of leguminous tree flowers in its introduced range.
Korscheltellus gracilis
Conifer Swift Moth
Korscheltellus gracilis, the Conifer Swift Moth, is a hepialid moth native to eastern and central North America. Adults are active at dusk and exhibit a primitive mating system where males form aerial lek swarms to attract females. Larvae are root-feeders primarily associated with coniferous trees, particularly balsam fir and red spruce, though they can survive on deciduous hosts. The species is considered a forest pest due to larval damage to tree roots and associated pathogen entry points.
Korscheltellus lupulina
Common Swift Moth
Korscheltellus lupulina, commonly known as the Common Swift Moth, is a hepialid moth native to Europe and parts of northern Asia. It was previously classified in the genus Hepialus but was moved to Korscheltellus based on morphological and phylogenetic studies. The species is frequently observed and often abundant across its range. It is one of several swift moth species characterized by rapid, darting flight patterns and reduced mouthparts in the adult stage.
Kukulcania geophila
crevice weaver
Kukulcania geophila is a species of crevice weaver spider in the family Filistatidae, distributed across the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other members of its genus, it constructs distinctive lacy, cribellate webs that emerge from sheltered retreats in crevices. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism, with females being larger, dark-colored, and long-lived compared to males. Two subspecies are recognized: K. g. geophila and K. g. wawona.
Lacanobia grandis
Grand Arches Moth
Lacanobia grandis, commonly known as the Grand Arches Moth, is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It is a nocturnal species attracted to light traps. The species has been documented in long-term moth monitoring studies, where it has shown variable abundance patterns typical of many noctuid moths.
Lacinipolia
owlet moths
Lacinipolia is a genus of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae, established by McDunnough in 1937. The genus contains approximately 80 species, primarily distributed in North America. Adults are nocturnal and frequently attracted to blacklights. Species identification typically requires examination of genitalia or other microscopic features, as external morphology alone is often insufficient for reliable determination.
Lacinipolia
owlet moths
Lacinipolia is a genus of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae. Adults are nocturnal and frequently attracted to blacklights. Species within this genus exhibit considerable variation in coloration, including mottled gray forms with reflective wing scales and green forms that likely provide camouflage against lichen-covered substrates. Species-level identification based on external appearance alone is generally not possible.
Lacinipolia agnata
Lacinipolia agnata is an owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Smith in 1905. Adults are attracted to blacklights at night. The species belongs to a genus whose members are difficult to distinguish visually, requiring examination of genitalia or other microscopic features for positive identification.
Lacinipolia aileenae
cutworm moth, dart moth
Lacinipolia aileenae is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Selman & Leuschner in 2001. It belongs to a genus whose members are commonly known as cutworm or dart moths. The species is documented from North America, with a MONA/Hodges number of 10406.6. Like other Lacinipolia species, adults are attracted to blacklights and show considerable variation in coloration.
Lacinipolia basiplaga
cutworm moth, dart moth
Lacinipolia basiplaga is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Smith in 1905. It belongs to the cutworm or dart moth group, a common name referring to the soil-dwelling caterpillars that cut through plant stems at ground level. The species is found in North America. Adults are attracted to light and are among the larger moths in the genus Lacinipolia. Species-level identification within this genus typically requires examination of genitalia or other microscopic features, as visual appearance alone is insufficient.
Lacinipolia circumcincta
cutworm moth, dart moth
Lacinipolia circumcincta is a noctuid moth species native to North America, originally described by Smith in 1891. As a member of the cutworm moth group, adults are attracted to ultraviolet light sources and are active during summer months. The species is part of a genus whose members are difficult to distinguish visually from one another.
Lacinipolia comis
cutworm moth, dart moth
Lacinipolia comis is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as a cutworm or dart moth. It was first described by Grote in 1876. The species is found in North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10408. Like other members of the genus Lacinipolia, adults are nocturnal and attracted to lights.
Lacinipolia davena
red-spot polia, Red-spot Polia Moth
Lacinipolia davena is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as the red-spot polia. It is one of the larger moths in the genus Lacinipolia, which are frequently attracted to blacklights at night. The species was first described by Smith in 1901. Adults are difficult to distinguish from other Lacinipolia species by appearance alone.
Lacinipolia longiclava
cutworm moth, dart moth
Lacinipolia longiclava is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as a cutworm or dart moth. It is one of approximately 100 species in the genus Lacinipolia, which are primarily distributed across North America. The species was originally described by Smith in 1891 under the basionym Mamestra longiclava. Like other members of its genus, adults are attracted to light and are difficult to distinguish from congeners based on external appearance alone.
Lacinipolia lustralis
Lustrous Arches
Lacinipolia lustralis is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as the Lustrous Arches. It is found in North America, with records from Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) and the United States (Vermont). Like other members of the genus Lacinipolia, it is nocturnal and attracted to lights. The species was originally described by Grote in 1875 under the basionym Dianthoecia lustralis.
Lacinipolia marinitincta
cutworm moth, dart moth
Lacinipolia marinitincta is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Harvey in 1875. It belongs to the genus Lacinipolia, which contains medium-sized owlet moths that are often difficult to distinguish visually at the species level. The species is known from North America, with observations documented in the western United States including Colorado. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light sources.
Lacinipolia meditata
Thinker Moth
Lacinipolia meditata, commonly known as the thinker moth, is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae. It is a medium-sized nocturnal moth found across North America. Adults are attracted to ultraviolet light sources, a common trait among noctuid moths. The species is part of a genus whose members can be difficult to distinguish visually without close examination.
Lacinipolia mimula
Lacinipolia mimula is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Grote in 1883. It is part of the owlet moth genus Lacinipolia, which contains numerous similar species that are difficult to distinguish by appearance alone. The species has been recorded in North America. Like other members of its genus, adults are nocturnal and attracted to light sources.
Lacinipolia patalis
Lacinipolia patalis is a species of owlet moth (family Noctuidae) found in North America. It was described by Grote in 1873, originally placed in the genus Xylomiges. The species is part of the subfamily Noctuinae and tribe Eriopygini. Like other members of its genus, it is nocturnal and attracted to lights.
Lacinipolia quadrilineata
Four-lined Arches
Lacinipolia quadrilineata is a species of owlet moth (Noctuidae) commonly known as the Four-lined Arches. First described by Grote in 1873 from the basionym Mamestra quadrilineata, this moth occurs across North America. The genus Lacinipolia belongs to the tribe Eriopygini within the subfamily Noctuinae. Adults are attracted to lights at night and are active during the summer months.
Lacinipolia renigera
Kidney-spotted Minor, Bristly Cutworm, Bristly Cutworm Moth
Lacinipolia renigera is a small owlet moth (Noctuidae) with a wingspan of 21–30 mm, smaller than most other members of its family. Adults rest with hindwings tucked beneath forewings, creating a tented or arrowhead-like silhouette. The species is endemic to most of North America, flying from May to October depending on location. Larvae feed on herbaceous plants and are considered a pest of agricultural crops including cabbage, lettuce, and corn.
Lacinipolia sharonae
Sharon's Cutworm, Sharon's Dart
Lacinipolia sharonae is a species of cutworm moth in the family Noctuidae, described in 2001. It is part of the diverse owlet moth genus Lacinipolia, which contains numerous similar-looking species that are difficult to distinguish without close examination. The species is found in North America and has been assigned the MONA/Hodges number 10406.3. Like other members of its genus, adults are nocturnal and attracted to light.
Lacinipolia spiculosa
Lacinipolia spiculosa is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Grote in 1883. It is found in North America and is one of several larger owlet moths in the genus Lacinipolia that are attracted to blacklights at night. Species in this genus are difficult to distinguish from one another by appearance alone.
Lacinipolia stenotis
cutworm moth, dart moth
Lacinipolia stenotis is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Hampson in 1905. It belongs to a genus of cutworm or dart moths found in North America. The species is part of the diverse Noctuinae subfamily, which contains many nocturnal moths attracted to light. Like other members of its genus, it cannot be reliably identified to species by appearance alone.
Lacinipolia strigicollis
Collared Arches Moth
Lacinipolia strigicollis, commonly known as the collared arches moth, is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. The species was described by Wallengren in 1860 and is found in North America. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10415. The genus Lacinipolia contains multiple species that are difficult to distinguish visually without close examination.
Lacinipolia umbrosa
Lacinipolia umbrosa is an owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, native to North America. Like other members of the genus Lacinipolia, adults are nocturnal and attracted to light sources. The species was described by Smith in 1888 and is accepted as valid in current taxonomy. Available information on this species is limited, with few documented observations in public databases.
Lacinipolia viridifera
Green Owlet Moth
Lacinipolia viridifera is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1937. The species is characterized by green coloration in at least some individuals, distinguishing it from the typically gray or mottled congeners in the genus Lacinipolia. Like other members of this genus, it is nocturnal and attracted to light sources. The specific epithet 'viridifera' refers to the green coloration ('viridis' = green, 'fero' = bearing).
Lacinipolia vittula
cutworm moth, dart moth
Lacinipolia vittula is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as cutworm or dart moths. The species was described by Grote in 1882 and occurs in North America. Like other members of its genus, adults are attracted to lights at night and exhibit variable coloration, with some individuals appearing mottled gray with reflective wing scales and others green.
Laemostenus terricola
Laemostenus terricola is a cavernicolous ground beetle native to Europe, capable of maintaining substantial populations in old hedge habitats within intensively cultivated agricultural landscapes. The species exhibits eurychronous phenology with year-round surface activity, though peak activity occurs in late summer and early autumn. It shows strong ecological association with rabbit burrows, which serve as important microhabitat features. The species is considered endangered in parts of its range, including Berlin and Germany as a whole.
Lambdina pellucidaria
pitch pine looper, eastern pine looper, yellow-headed looper, yellow-headed looper moth
Lambdina pellucidaria is a geometrid moth found in eastern North America, commonly known as the pitch pine looper or yellow-headed looper. The species is associated with pine habitats and has been documented feeding on pitch pine, red pine, and other hard pines, as well as oak. Adults are active from March to June with regional variation, and exhibit nocturnal pheromone-mediated mating activity between midnight and 3 AM. Larvae are distinctive loopers that mine needles rather than consuming them completely, a trait that aids in identification.
Lanelater
Lanelater is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae, subfamily Agrypninae) established by Arnett in 1952. The genus includes at least 10 described species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. Species have been documented in India, Pakistan, and other regions, with some species such as Lanelater fuscipes recognized as significant agricultural pests whose larvae (wireworms) damage field crops by feeding on below-ground plant structures. A new species, Lanelater majeednsis, was recently described from Khairpur district, Sindh, Pakistan.
Lanugo cestus
Lanugo cestus is a species of giant silkmoth in the family Saturniidae. It is native to the Neotropical region and exhibits the large size and reduced mouthparts characteristic of many saturniid moths. Adults are primarily nocturnal and do not feed. The species has received limited scientific study, and many aspects of its biology remain undocumented.
Larinia
Grass Orb-web Spiders
Larinia is a genus of orb-weaving spiders (family Araneidae) comprising 69 species as of 2026. These medium-sized spiders are characterized by their elongated, straw-coloured bodies and association with grassland habitats. They construct loosely woven orb-webs in vegetation, typically at heights matching surrounding plants. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution with species documented across multiple continents including Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Australia.
Larinioides sclopetarius
bridge-spider, gray cross spider, grey cross spider, bridge orbweaver
Larinioides sclopetarius is a relatively large orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae with Holarctic distribution. Native to Europe, it has been introduced to North America and is strongly associated with human-made structures, particularly bridges, where it builds webs near artificial light sources over water. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in body mass and leg proportions, with males maturing faster and earlier than females. It is notable for its high density aggregations in urban environments, where light-attracted insect prey supports populations of up to 100 individuals per square meter in optimal feeding locations.
Lascoria orneodalis
Enigmatic Owlet
Lascoria orneodalis is a litter moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Herminiinae. It occurs in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. The species is known to feed on Lycopersicon (nightshades) during its larval stage. It has been documented across North America and Caribbean regions including Jamaica.
Lasioglossum texanum
Nocturnal Sweat Bee, Texas Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum texanum is a nocturnal sweat bee (family Halictidae) notable for its unusual foraging behavior. Unlike most bees, it actively collects pollen during evening hours and continues after dark until approximately 10:00 PM when moonlight is available. It is a ground-nesting solitary bee with highly specialized pollen preferences, foraging exclusively from flowers of the four-point evening-primrose (Oenothera rhombipetala).
Lasionycta caesia
Lasionycta caesia is a noctuid moth restricted to high-elevation alpine habitats in the Pacific Northwest. It was described in 2009 as part of a comprehensive revision of the genus Lasionycta. The species occurs exclusively in rocky alpine tundra near tree line in the Cascade Mountains of northern Washington and the British Columbia Coast Range, extending north to 58° latitude. Adults are active for a brief period from mid-July to mid-August.
Lasionycta conjugata
Lasionycta conjugata is a noctuid moth species described by Smith in 1899. It is restricted to high-elevation habitats in the Rocky Mountains, occurring from central Utah and Colorado northward to the Montana-Wyoming border. The species is nocturnal and active during mid-summer.
Lasionycta fergusoni
Lasionycta fergusoni is a nocturnal moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Crabo & Lafontaine in 2009. It inhabits subalpine forests across the Pacific Northwest and western Canada, from southern Washington through British Columbia and Alberta to southern Yukon. Adults are active from late June to mid-August. The species is part of a genus revision that described 17 new North American species.
Lasionycta silacea
Lasionycta silacea is a noctuid moth described by Crabo & Lafontaine in 2009 as part of a major revision of the genus Lasionycta. It inhabits high-elevation coniferous forests near the treeline in the Pacific Northwest and adjacent Rocky Mountains. The species is nocturnal and has a relatively restricted geographic range spanning from the British Columbia Coast Range and Washington Cascades to extreme southwestern Alberta.
Lebia abdita
Lebia abdita is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Madge in 1967. The species is known from arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Like other members of the genus Lebia, it is likely associated with vegetation and may be attracted to lights at night.
Lebia atriventris
Lebia atriventris is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1823. It is one of approximately 700 species in the genus Lebia, which is characterized by small, often brightly colored beetles commonly known as colorful foliage ground beetles. The species is documented from the United States and Canada. Members of this genus are typically found in vegetation and are attracted to lights at night.