North-america
Guides
Acraspis quercushirta
jewel oak gall wasp
Acraspis quercushirta, the jewel oak gall wasp, is a North American cynipid wasp that induces distinctive, detachable galls on white oak leaves. The species exhibits a complex life cycle with alternating sexual and asexual generations, each producing morphologically different galls. The sexual generation forms the namesake "jewel" galls—oval, faceted structures ranging from white to brown that detach and fall with leaves in autumn. Molecular studies have confirmed its conspecific status with A. macrocarpae, which was previously considered a separate species.
Acratodes suavata
Acratodes suavata is a species of geometrid moth in the subfamily Sterrhinae, described by George Duryea Hulst in 1900. The species is recorded from the Caribbean and North America, with 310 observations documented on iNaturalist. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 7148.
Acritogramma metaleuca
Acritogramma metaleuca is a moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by Hampson in 1913. It belongs to the subfamily Erebinae, a diverse group of nocturnal moths. The species is known from North America. It is assigned Hodges number 8682 in the MONA (Moths of North America) numbering system.
Acritus discus
clown beetle
Acritus discus is a small clown beetle in the family Histeridae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1853. It belongs to the subfamily Abraeinae, a group of diminutive histerids often associated with decaying organic matter. The species is recorded from multiple localities in eastern North America, including Georgia, Indiana, and New York.
Acritus exiguus
clown beetle
Acritus exiguus is a small clown beetle (family Histeridae) described by Erichson in 1834. It occurs across much of eastern North America from southern Canada to Mexico, with records from the northeastern United States through the Gulf Coast states and west to Colorado and Texas. Like other members of the genus Acritus, it is minute in size and associated with decaying organic matter. The species is documented from museum collections and limited iNaturalist observations, though detailed ecological studies remain sparse.
Acrobasis angusella
Hickory Leafstem Borer, Leafstem Borer, Hickory Leafstem Borer Moth
Acrobasis angusella, described by Grote in 1880, is a snout moth in the family Pyralidae. The species is known from Quebec, Canada, and the northeastern United States. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 18 mm and are active from May through September. The larvae are specialized feeders on hickory species (Carya), boring into leaf stems and causing premature leaf drop.
Acrobasis aurorella
Acrobasis aurorella is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae. It was described by Charles Russell Ely in 1910. The species is known from the eastern United States. Little detailed information is available about its biology or ecology.
Acrobasis caryivorella
pecan nursery casemaker
Acrobasis caryivorella, known as the pecan nursery casemaker, is a snout moth in the family Pyralidae described by Ragonot in 1887. It is a pest of pecan and walnut trees, with larvae that bore into new growth and developing nuts. The species has two to four generations per year and overwinters in the larval stage. It occurs in southeastern Ontario, Canada, and the eastern United States.
Acrobasis demotella
Walnut Shoot Moth
Acrobasis demotella, the walnut shoot moth, is a small pyralid moth described by Grote in 1881. Its larvae feed on Juglans (walnut) and Carya (hickory/pecan) species, making it a pest of nut-producing trees. The species occurs across eastern and central North America. It is one of several Acrobasis species associated with hardwood trees in the walnut family.
Acrobasis indigenella
Leaf Crumpler
Acrobasis indigenella, the leaf crumpler, is a small snout moth (Pyralidae: Phycitinae) described by Zeller in 1848. It is known from eastern North America, with records extending into central Canada and the north-central United States. The species has a bivoltine life cycle in Illinois and the southeastern United States, with larvae that feed on leaves of Juglandaceae, particularly black walnut, hickories, and pecan. First-generation larvae are notable for skeletonizing leaves and webbing them together into shelters for feeding.
Acrobasis juglandis
Pecan Leaf Casebearer, Pecan Leaf Casebearer Moth
Acrobasis juglandis is a small pyralid moth commonly known as the pecan leaf casebearer. The species is a significant pest of pecan and walnut trees, with larvae feeding on foliage and nutlets of host plants in the genus Carya and Juglans. Its common name derives from the larval habit of constructing protective cases from leaf material. The species is native to North America and has been documented from Ontario south to Florida and west to New Mexico.
Acrobasis normella
Acrobasis normella is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1908. The species is associated with hazelnut hosts, with larvae feeding on American hazelnut (Corylus americana) and beaked hazelnut (Corylus cornuta). It is known from Ontario, Canada, and the central and eastern United States. Like other Acrobasis species, it likely has a concealed larval lifestyle within host plant tissues.
Acrobasis ostryella
Acrobasis ostryella is a snout moth (family Pyralidae) described by Charles Russell Ely in 1913. The species has one generation per year and occurs in eastern North America. Larvae are specialized feeders on Ostrya virginiana (American hophornbeam), constructing silk tubes at the base of leaves where they overwinter. The species is one of approximately 60 Acrobasis species in North America, many of which are associated with woody host plants.
Acrobasis palliolella
mantled acrobasis moth
Acrobasis palliolella, the mantled acrobasis moth, is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae. It was described by Ragonot in 1887 and is known from Ontario, Canada, and the eastern United States. The larvae feed on Carya species (hickories), including Carya ovata and Carya carolinae-septentrionalis.
Acrobasis tricolorella
destructive prune worm, tricolored acrobasis moth
Acrobasis tricolorella is a snout moth (Pyralidae: Phycitinae) described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1878. The species occurs in southern Canada and the northern United States. Adults are active from June to October. Larvae feed on buds and fruits of various Rosaceae and related woody plants, and overwinter in the larval stage.
Acrocercops astericola
Aster Tentiform Blotchminer
Acrocercops astericola is a leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. The species is known from eastern North America, where larvae feed on asteraceous host plants. Adults are small moths typical of the microlepidoptera. The common name refers to the distinctive tentiform blotch mines created by larval feeding.
Acrodectes
Acrodectes is a genus of shield-backed katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, containing a single described species, Acrodectes philopagus. The genus was established by Rehn and Hebard in 1920. These insects belong to the diverse katydid group within Orthoptera, characterized by their elongated antennae and stridulatory sound production.
Acrolophitus
Crested-keel grasshopper
Acrolophitus is a genus of North American grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, subfamily Gomphocerinae. The genus contains at least four described species, including Acrolophitus hirtipes, A. maculipennis, A. nevadensis, and A. pulchellus. These grasshoppers are found primarily in western North America, inhabiting rangeland and grassland habitats. The genus is characterized by distinctive morphological features of the pronotum.
Acrolophitus hirtipes
Green Fool Grasshopper, Plains Point-head Grasshopper, Crested-keel Grasshopper
Acrolophitus hirtipes is a slant-faced grasshopper in the family Acrididae, commonly known as the green fool grasshopper or plains point-head grasshopper. It is native to the grasslands of central North America, with documented occurrences in Colorado, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Wyoming. The species is part of the tribe Acrolophitini, which is characterized by distinctive head morphology. It has been recorded in systematic surveys of western rangeland grasshoppers, indicating it is a regular component of prairie grasshopper communities.
Acrolophitus maculipennis
Texas Point-head Grasshopper, Black Fool Grasshopper
Acrolophitus maculipennis is a species of slant-faced grasshopper in the family Acrididae, characterized by its distinctive pointed head shape. It is found across a broad geographic range spanning North America, Central America, and Mexico. The species is known by two common names: Texas point-head grasshopper and black fool grasshopper. It belongs to the tribe Acrolophitini within the subfamily Gomphocerinae.
Acrolophitus nevadensis
Nevada Point-Head Grasshopper
Acrolophitus nevadensis, commonly known as the Nevada Point-Head Grasshopper, is a species of slant-faced grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It was described by Thomas in 1873. The species is known from limited observations and is found in North America, with confirmed records from Nevada.
Acrolophus
grass tube moths
Acrolophus is a genus of moths in the family Acrolophidae, commonly known as "grass tube moths." The family was formerly placed in Tineidae (clothes moths and kin) but has been reclassified based on updated evolutionary relationships. Larvae of many species construct silken tubes at the base of grasses or grass roots for concealment while feeding.
Acrolophus cockerelli
Acrolophus cockerelli is a small moth in the family Acrolophidae, historically classified in Tineidae. The species occurs in the southwestern and western United States. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 17 mm. Larvae of Acrolophus species are known as "grass tube moths" for their habit of spinning silken tubes at grass bases or roots.
Acrolophus furcatus
Acrolophus furcatus is a small moth in the family Acrolophidae, described by Lord Walsingham in 1887. The species is known from arid and semi-arid regions of southwestern North America, with records from Arizona, California, and Texas. Like other members of the genus, it is commonly referred to as a 'grass tubeworm moth' due to larval behavior. The family Acrolophidae was historically treated as a subfamily of Tineidae but is now recognized as distinct.
Acrolophus griseus capitatus
A subspecies of grass tube moth in the family Acrolophidae, described by Hasbrouck in 1964. Acrolophus species are characterized by caterpillars that construct silken tubes at the base of grasses or grass roots for concealment while feeding. The family Acrolophidae was historically placed within Tineidae but is now recognized as distinct. This subspecies belongs to a genus commonly encountered during moth surveys and blacklighting events in North America.
Acrolophus mora
dark acrolophus
Acrolophus mora is a small moth in the family Acrolophidae, commonly known as the dark acrolophus. The species was described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1881. It occurs across eastern North America from Quebec to Florida and west to the Mississippi River drainage. Sexual dimorphism is present in wingspan, with males measuring approximately 20 mm and females approximately 26 mm.
Acrolophus quadrellus
Acrolophus quadrellus is a small moth in the family Acrolophidae, described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1913. The species belongs to a genus commonly known as "grass tubeworm moths" due to larval behavior of spinning silken tubes at grass bases or roots. It is recorded from Arizona and broader North America, though specific details about its biology remain limited.
Acrolophus simulatus
Acrolophus simulatus is a species of moth in the family Acrolophidae, described by Walsingham in 1882. It is one of many species in the genus commonly known as "grass tube moths" due to larval behavior. The species is documented from North America, with records from Florida and Texas. Like other members of Acrolophus, it is presumed to have larvae that construct silken tubes at the base of grasses or grass roots for concealment while feeding.
Acromacer bombifrons
Acromacer bombifrons is a species of primitive weevil in the family Nemonychidae, a small family of Coleoptera that retains ancestral characteristics of the order. The species was described by LeConte in 1876 and is known from western North America. Nemonychidae are among the most ancient lineages of weevils, with fossil records extending to the Jurassic period. Very few observations of this species exist in modern databases.
Acroncosa
Acroncosa is a genus of snout moths (family Pyralidae) established by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1917. The genus contains four described species, all found in North America. As members of the subfamily Phycitinae, these moths possess the characteristic elongated labial palps that form a snout-like projection. The type species is Acroncosa albiflavella.
Acroneuria
common stoneflies
Acroneuria is a genus of large-bodied stoneflies in the family Perlidae, containing more than 30 described species distributed across North America and Asia. Nymphs are predatory and inhabit streams and rivers, where they serve as important bioindicators of water quality. Adults are known for distinctive emergence behaviors, including arboreal emergence in some species. Several species in the genus are experiencing range contractions and population declines due to habitat degradation and climate change.
Acroneuria abnormis
Common Stone
Acroneuria abnormis, commonly known as the common stone, is a species of stonefly in the family Perlidae. It is widely distributed across North America. The species is notable for its drumming behavior during mating, which produces species-specific vibrational signals used for identification and mate recognition.
Acronicta afflicta
afflicted dagger moth
Acronicta afflicta, commonly known as the afflicted dagger moth, is a noctuid moth species found across eastern North America. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 36 mm and are active from May to September depending on location. The species is notable for its larval association with oak species (Quercus), distinguishing it ecologically from related dagger moths.
Acronicta albarufa
Barrens dagger moth
Acronicta albarufa, the barrens dagger moth, is a nocturnal noctuid moth with a fragmented distribution across North America. Adults are typically 3.0–3.5 cm in length and active from June to August, with some populations producing a partial second brood. The species is strongly associated with oak and pine barren habitats, particularly pitch pine–bear oak communities in the Northeast and oak savannahs in the western and southern portions of its range. It is listed as a species of special concern in Connecticut and believed extirpated there.
Acronicta atristrigatus
Acronicta atristrigatus is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae. It was described by Smith in 1900. The species is recorded from North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9232. As a member of the genus Acronicta, it belongs to a group commonly known as dagger moths, though specific natural history details for this particular species remain poorly documented.
Acronicta australis
Acronicta australis is a moth species in the family Noctuidae (owlet moths), first described by Mustelin and Leuschner in 2000. It is found in North America. The species has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 9275.1 for North American moth identification purposes. As a member of the dagger moth genus Acronicta, it likely shares the characteristic dagger-like markings on the forewings typical of this group, though specific morphological details require direct examination.
Acronicta browni
Acronicta browni is a moth species in the family Noctuidae, described by Mustelin and Leuschner in 2000. It belongs to the genus Acronicta, commonly known as dagger moths, characterized by distinctive dark dagger-shaped markings on the forewings of many species. The species is known from North America, with confirmed records from California. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to have a typical noctuid life cycle with nocturnal adult activity.
Acronicta brumosa
Charred Dagger, charred dagger moth
Acronicta brumosa, commonly known as the charred dagger moth, is a noctuid moth native to North America. The species exhibits a wingspan of approximately 38 mm. Larvae are specialized feeders on various Quercus (oak) species. The species was first described by Guenée in 1852.
Acronicta dolli
Doll's Dagger, Doll's dagger moth
Acronicta dolli is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1918. It is native to North America and is commonly known as Doll's Dagger or Doll's dagger moth. The species belongs to the dagger moth genus Acronicta, a group characterized by caterpillars with distinctive hair tufts or projections. The MONA or Hodges number for this species is 9277.
Acronicta edolata
Acronicta edolata is a moth species in the family Noctuidae, first described by Grote in 1881. It belongs to the genus Acronicta, commonly known as dagger moths, which are characterized by distinctive dark dagger-shaped markings on their forewings. The species is known from limited records in North America, with confirmed occurrence in Arizona.
Acronicta exilis
exiled dagger moth, Lesser Oak Dagger
Acronicta exilis is a noctuid moth commonly known as the exiled dagger moth or Lesser Oak Dagger. It is native to eastern North America, with documented populations in Iowa, New York, Maryland, Arkansas, Delaware, and Manitoba. The species is associated with oak habitats, as its larvae feed on Quercus species. Like other dagger moths, it likely exhibits typical noctuid life history traits including nocturnal adult activity and complete metamorphosis.
Acronicta falcula
corylus dagger moth, Hazel Dagger
Acronicta falcula is a North American noctuid moth commonly known as the corylus dagger moth or Hazel Dagger. The species was described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1877 and occurs primarily in the northeastern and north-central United States and adjacent Canada. It is associated with Corylus (hazel) species, on which its larvae feed. The species is considered rare in some parts of its range and is listed as a species of special concern in Connecticut.
Acronicta fallax
Green Marvel, Green Marvel Moth
Acronicta fallax, commonly known as the green marvel moth, is a noctuid moth found across most of North America. First described by Herrich-Schäffer in 1854, this species has a wingspan of approximately 34 mm. Adults are active year-round in warmer regions, with particularly extended flight periods in Florida from February through November. The species belongs to the dagger moth genus Acronicta, characterized by distinctive caterpillars often bearing prominent defensive setae.
Acronicta grisea
Gray Dagger
Acronicta grisea, commonly known as the gray dagger, is a noctuid moth species first described by Francis Walker in 1856. It occurs across southern Canada and the northern United States, with a wingspan of 30–40 mm. Adults are active in midsummer.
Acronicta hamamelis
witch hazel dagger moth, puzzling dagger moth
Acronicta hamamelis is a noctuid moth first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. The species is closely associated with witch-hazel (Hamamelis), which serves as the larval host plant. It occurs in eastern North America, with records from Canada and the northeastern and mid-Atlantic United States. The common name "puzzling dagger moth" reflects historical identification challenges.
Acronicta hasta
forked dagger moth, speared dagger moth, cherry dagger moth, dart dagger moth
Acronicta hasta is a noctuid moth native to eastern North American deciduous woodlands. Adults have a wingspan of 35–45 mm and are active from April to September, with multiple generations in southern portions of the range. The species was first described by Achille Guenée in 1852; Acronicta furcifera was synonymized with it in 1998. Three subspecies are recognized: A. h. hasta, A. h. telum, and A. h. manitoba.
Acronicta impleta
yellow-haired dagger moth, powdered dagger
Acronicta impleta, commonly known as the yellow-haired dagger moth, is a noctuid moth species native to most of North America. Adults are active from April to July, with timing varying by location. The species is recognized by its moderate wingspan of approximately 42 mm. Larvae feed on the foliage of several deciduous tree genera including elm, maple, birch, willow, and oak. Two subspecies are recognized: A. i. impleta and A. i. illita.
Acronicta inclara
unclear dagger moth
Acronicta inclara, known as the unclear dagger moth, is a noctuid moth described by John Bernhardt Smith in 1900. It occurs in north-eastern North America. Two subspecies are recognized: A. i. inclara and A. i. inconstans. As a member of the dagger moth genus, it belongs to a group whose caterpillars often possess distinctive defensive setae.
Acronicta increta
raspberry bud dagger moth, raspberry bud moth, peach sword stripe night moth
Acronicta increta is a small noctuid moth with a wingspan of 28–36 mm, found throughout southern Canada and the United States. The species is taxonomically disputed, with some authors considering it a synonym of Acronicta inclara. Adults are active from May to September depending on location. Larval host associations remain uncertain, with probable feeding on Quercus species suggested but not confirmed.
Acronicta insita
Large Gray Dagger, Fingered Dagger
Acronicta insita, commonly known as the Large Gray Dagger or Fingered Dagger, is a noctuid moth found across North America from Newfoundland to the Pacific coast. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1856. Formerly, Acronicta hesperida and Acronicta dactylina were treated as separate species but are now recognized as synonyms. Adults have a wingspan of 45–55 mm and fly from May to July.