Notodontidae
Guides
Heterocampa
prominent moths
Heterocampa is a genus of prominent moths in the family Notodontidae containing approximately 18 described species. Species occur in North, Central, and South America. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision; research published in 2021 resulted in some species being transferred to the genera Cecrita, Macrurocampa, and Rifargia. Several species are forest defoliators, with Heterocampa guttivitta (saddled prominent) and H. manteo (variable oakleaf caterpillar) being among the better studied due to their economic and ecological significance.
Heterocampa amanda
Heterocampa amanda is a moth in the family Notodontidae (the prominents), described by William Barnes and Arthur Ward Lindsey in 1921. It is native to North America and assigned MONA/Hodges number 7992. The species belongs to a genus whose larvae feed on various hardwood trees.
Heterocampa astarte
astarte prominent moth
Heterocampa astarte is a moth species in the family Notodontidae, first described by Edward Doubleday in 1841. It is found in North America and is known to be a host for the thread-waisted wasp Ammophila procera, which provisions its nests with paralyzed caterpillars of this species. The species has been recorded with the MONA/Hodges number 7977.
Heterocampa astartoides
Heterocampa astartoides is a species of prominent moth in the family Notodontidae. First described by Foster Hendrickson Benjamin in 1932, this North American species is known to be a host for the thread-waisted wasp Ammophila procera. It is recorded under MONA/Hodges number 7978.
Heterocampa averna
Heterocampa averna is a species of prominent moth in the family Notodontidae, first described by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1910. The species is known from North America and has been assigned the MONA/Hodges number 7991. As a member of the genus Heterocampa, it belongs to a group of moths whose larvae are frequently parasitized by solitary wasps.
Heterocampa obliqua
oblique heterocampa, oblique prominent
Heterocampa obliqua is a species of prominent moth in the family Notodontidae, first described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1864. It is found throughout North America. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 7983. Larvae have been subjects of morphological study comparing their mouthpart structure and feeding behaviors with other notodontid species.
Heterocampa pulverea
Eastern White-blotched Prominent
Heterocampa pulverea is a moth species in the family Notodontidae, commonly known as the Eastern White-blotched Prominent. It occurs in oak forests across eastern North America. The species was formerly treated as a subspecies of Heterocampa umbrata but is now recognized as distinct.
Heterocampa rufinans
Heterocampa rufinans is a species of prominent moth in the family Notodontidae, described by Dyar in 1921. It belongs to a genus whose caterpillars serve as hosts for certain parasitoid wasps. The species is documented from North America, though specific details about its biology and appearance remain sparse in available sources.
Heterocampa secessionis
Heterocampa secessionis is a species of prominent moth in the family Notodontidae, first described by Foster Hendrickson Benjamin in 1932. It belongs to a genus of moths whose caterpillars are known to feed on oak and other hardwood foliage. The species is recorded from North America, with the MONA (Moths of North America) or Hodges number 7981 assigned to it.
Heterocampa umbrata
white-blotched heterocampa, white-blotched prominent
Heterocampa umbrata is a moth in the family Notodontidae, described by Francis Walker in 1855. It is commonly known as the white-blotched heterocampa or white-blotched prominent. The species has a restricted distribution in the southeastern United States, occurring in Florida and coastal Georgia. The MONA or Hodges number for this species is 7990.
Heterocampinae
prominent moths
Heterocampinae is a subfamily of prominent moths within the family Notodontidae. It contains at least 60 described species in North America, with additional species in other regions. The group includes economically and ecologically significant genera such as Heterocampa, Schizura, and Lochmaeus. Adults are nocturnal and larvae often exhibit distinctive defensive postures.
Hyparpax aurora
Pink Prominent
Hyparpax aurora, commonly known as the pink prominent, is a moth in the family Notodontidae native to eastern North America. First described by James Edward Smith in 1797, this species is notable for its distinctive pink and yellow coloration. It is listed as a species of special concern in Connecticut, indicating potential conservation vulnerability in parts of its range.
Hyparpax perophoroides
red-lined yellow prominent, lilac moth
Hyparpax perophoroides is a species of prominent moth in the family Notodontidae. It is commonly known as the red-lined yellow prominent or lilac moth. The species was first described by Strecker in 1876 and is found in North America. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 8026.
Hyparpax venus
Venus Moth
Hyparpax venus is a species of moth in the family Notodontidae, described by Berthold Neumoegen in 1892. It is native to North America and belongs to the prominent moth group, which are characterized by their distinctive resting postures and often tufted or hairy bodies. The species name 'venus' references the Roman goddess of beauty, a common naming convention in this genus.
Ianassa coloradensis
Ianassa coloradensis is a moth species in the family Notodontidae (prominent moths), first described by Edwards in 1885. It belongs to the subfamily Heterocampinae, a group of moths whose larvae often exhibit distinctive defensive postures and feeding habits on woody plants. The species has been documented in 56 iNaturalist observations, suggesting it is encountered with moderate frequency by naturalists. As a member of Notodontidae, it is part of a diverse family of moths found primarily in forested and wooded habitats.
Ianassa lignicolor
White-streaked Prominent, white-streaked prominent moth, lacecapped caterpillar
A medium-sized moth in the family Notodontidae, commonly known as the White-streaked Prominent or lacecapped caterpillar. Adults display distinctive white streaking on the forewings. The species is widespread in eastern North America, with larvae recognized by their unique 'lace cap' appearance. The species has been subject to taxonomic revision, formerly placed in the genus Oligocentria.
Ianassa wagneri
Ianassa wagneri is a species of moth in the family Notodontidae, subfamily Heterocampinae. The species was described by Miller and Franclemont in 2021. It belongs to the genus Ianassa, a group of prominent moths within the superfamily Noctuoidea. Very little specific information has been published about this recently described species.
Litodonta contrasta
Litodonta contrasta is a species of prominent moth in the family Notodontidae, described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1910. It belongs to a small genus of North American moths. The species name 'contrast' likely refers to distinct pattern elements on the wings. Like other notodontids, adults are nocturnal and larvae are external feeders on woody plants.
Lochmaeus
Lochmaeus is a genus of moths in the family Notodontidae, first described by Edward Doubleday in 1841. The genus contains at least two species, including L. manteo and L. bilineata. Larvae are late-season defoliators of hardwood trees, with outbreaks occasionally producing conspicuous damage and abundant frass. Despite visible defoliation, impacts to tree health are generally minor.
Lochmaeus bilineata
Double-lined Prominent, double-lined prominent moth
Lochmaeus bilineata, commonly known as the double-lined prominent moth, is a notodontid moth found across eastern North America. Adults are active from spring through fall depending on latitude, with a wingspan of 32–40 mm. The larvae feed on the foliage of several hardwood tree genera including Fagus, Quercus, Tilia, Betula, and Ulmus. As a late-season defoliator, it typically causes minor, localized damage that does not threaten overall tree health.
Lochmaeus manteo
Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar Moth
Lochmaeus manteo is a moth in the family Notodontidae, commonly known as the variable oakleaf caterpillar moth. It occurs in eastern North America, where adults are active from April through October. The species is a late-season defoliator of deciduous trees, with larvae feeding primarily on Quercus (oak) species. While larval feeding can cause noticeable canopy damage and produce abundant frass, single defoliation events rarely cause significant long-term harm to tree health.
Macrurocampa
mottled prominent (for M. marthesia), blue moor-grass moth (for M. zayasi)
Macrurocampa is a genus of prominent moths in the family Notodontidae, subfamily Heterocampinae. It was erected by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1904 and contains nine recognized species. The genus is primarily distributed in North America, with one species (M. zayasi) recorded from Cuba.
Macrurocampa gigantea
Macrurocampa gigantea is a species of prominent moth in the family Notodontidae. It was first described by William Barnes and Foster Hendrickson Benjamin in 1924. The species was formerly classified under the genus Litodonta but was transferred to Macrurocampa based on research published in 2021. It is known from North America and has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 7972.
Macrurocampa marthesia
Mottled Prominent
Macrurocampa marthesia, commonly known as the Mottled Prominent, is a species of prominent moth in the family Notodontidae. First described by Pieter Cramer in 1780, this species occurs across North America with documented records from Canada and the United States. The species is assigned Hodges number 7975 in the North American moth numbering system. It belongs to the subfamily Heterocampinae within the superfamily Noctuoidea.
Misogada
drab prominent
Misogada is a monotypic moth genus in the family Notodontidae, containing a single species, Misogada unicolor. The genus was erected by Francis Walker in 1865. Its sole species, commonly known as the drab prominent, was described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1864 and is distributed across eastern and central North America.
Nadata
Nadata is a genus of prominent moths in the family Notodontidae, established by Francis Walker in 1855. The genus contains at least two North American species: Nadata gibbosa and Nadata oregonensis. These moths are notable as hosts for certain parasitoid wasps, particularly thread-waisted wasps in the genus Ammophila.
Nadata anastomosa
Nadata anastomosa is a species of prominent moth in the family Notodontidae, first described in 2018. It belongs to a genus whose caterpillars serve as hosts for certain parasitoid wasps. The species is part of the diverse Noctuoidea superfamily and has been documented through a limited number of observations.
Nerice bidentata
Double-toothed Prominent, base-streaked prominent moth, double-toothed prominent moth
Nerice bidentata is a North American moth in the family Notodontidae. Adults are active in spring and summer, with a single generation per year in northern populations. The species is notable for its larvae, which feed on elm leaves and exhibit camouflage resembling leaf edges.
Notela
Notela is a monotypic genus of moths in the family Notodontidae, established by William Schaus in 1901. It contains a single species, Notela jaliscana, which occurs in North America. The genus is classified within the subfamily Nystaleinae. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 7960.
Notodonta
prominent moths
Notodonta is a genus of prominent moths in the family Notodontidae, established by Ferdinand Ochsenheimer in 1810. Species within this genus are distributed across the Palearctic region, with multiple species occurring in Europe and Asia. Several species have been subjects of genomic research through the Darwin Tree of Life Project, including the iron prominent (N. dromedarius) and pebble prominent (N. ziczac). The genus exhibits variation in brood number across latitudes, with double-brooded populations in southern regions and single-brooded populations in northern areas.
Notodonta manitou
Cryptic Prominent
Notodonta manitou, commonly known as the Cryptic Prominent, is a moth species in the family Notodontidae described by Neumoegen and Dyar in 1893. It belongs to the genus Notodonta, a group of prominent moths characterized by their distinctive resting posture and often cryptic coloration. The species epithet "manitou" refers to the spiritual or supernatural beings in Algonquian Native American mythology, suggesting the species may have been described from specimens collected in a region associated with these cultures. As with other members of the Notodontidae family, the larvae likely feed on deciduous tree foliage.
Notodonta pacifica
Pacific Prominent Moth
Notodonta pacifica is a species of prominent moth in the family Notodontidae. It was first described by Hans Hermann Behr in 1892. The species is found in North America and is known by the common name Pacific Prominent Moth. Like other members of its genus, it belongs to a group of moths characterized by distinctive projections or tufts on their bodies.
Notodonta torva
Large Dark Prominent, Northern Finned Prominent
Notodonta torva is a moth in the family Notodontidae, first described by Jacob Hübner in 1803. It is widespread across Europe and extends eastward through Asia to China, Korea, and Japan, with rare occurrences as an immigrant to Great Britain. The species is bivoltine in western Europe, producing two generations per year. Larvae feed primarily on poplar and willow species.
Nystalea eutalanta
Dyar's tropical prominent moth
Nystalea eutalanta is a species of prominent moth in the family Notodontidae, first described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1921. It occurs in North America and belongs to the subfamily Nystaleinae. The species is represented by approximately 40 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is encountered infrequently relative to more common moth species.
Nystalea indiana
Grote's tropical prominent moth
Nystalea indiana is a species of prominent moth in the family Notodontidae. It was described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1884. The species is commonly known as Grote's tropical prominent moth. It is found in North America.
Oedemasia
Oedemasia is a genus of prominent moths in the family Notodontidae, established by Packard in 1864. The genus contains at least four described species distributed mainly in North America. Some species have well-known common names referring to larval characteristics, such as the red-humped caterpillar (Oedemasia concinna). The genus is classified within the subfamily Heterocampinae.
Oedemasia leptinoides
black-blotched schizura, black-blotched prominent
Oedemasia leptinoides is a moth in the family Notodontidae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1864. It was transferred from the genus Schizura to Oedemasia in 2021 based on molecular and morphological research. The species is known for caterpillars that engage in girdling behavior on host plants. It is found in North America.
Oedemasia salicis
Western Red-Humped Caterpillar Moth
Oedemasia salicis is a species of prominent moth in the family Notodontidae. The common name refers to the distinctive red hump on its caterpillar. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. The species is associated with willow and poplar host plants.
Paraeschra
Paraeschra is a genus of moths in the family Notodontidae, described in 2018 by Miller & Franclemont. It belongs to the subfamily Notodontinae, a group commonly known as prominent moths. The genus was established relatively recently in lepidopteran taxonomy, suggesting it was separated from related genera based on morphological or molecular evidence. As a notodontid genus, its members likely share characteristics with other prominent moths, though species-specific details remain limited in available sources.
Paraeschra georgica
Georgian Prominent
Paraeschra georgica, commonly known as the Georgian Prominent, is a species of moth in the family Notodontidae. It was first described by Herrich-Schäffer in 1855 under the basionym Notodonta georgica. The species belongs to the subfamily Notodontinae, a group commonly referred to as prominent moths due to their characteristic resting posture with wings folded tent-like over the body. It has been documented in the northeastern United States, particularly in Vermont.
Paraeschra tortuosa
Paraeschra tortuosa is a species of moth in the family Notodontidae, first described by Tepper in 1881. It belongs to a genus of Australian notodontid moths. The species is documented through limited observations, with 45 records on iNaturalist. As with many Australian notodontids, detailed biological information remains sparse in published literature.
Peridea angulosa
Angulose Prominent
Peridea angulosa is a moth in the family Notodontidae, commonly known as the angulose prominent. First described by James Edward Smith in 1797, this species is widely distributed across eastern North America. Adults are active from late spring through mid-summer and are associated with oak-dominated habitats. The larvae feed exclusively on Quercus species.
Peridea ferruginea
Chocolate prominent, Chocolate Birch Prominent
Peridea ferruginea, the chocolate prominent, is a species of prominent moth in the family Notodontidae. It was described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1864 and occurs in North America. The species was historically confused with Peridea bordeloni, a river birch specialist that was distinguished as a separate species in 2018. The MONA/Hodges number for this species is 7921.
Periergosinae
Periergosinae is a subfamily of moths within the family Notodontidae, established by Kobayashi in 2016. The subfamily includes the genus Chadisra, which is distributed in the Sundaland region of Southeast Asia. Members are part of the diverse notodontid moth fauna, though specific ecological and biological traits remain poorly documented.
Phalerinae
Phalerinae is a subfamily of moths within the family Notodontidae (prominent moths), established by Butler in 1886. The subfamily includes the genus Antheua, which comprises 44 valid species distributed across the Afrotropical region. Recent taxonomic revision has significantly clarified the diversity of this group, describing 19 new species in Antheua and reinstating the genus Parazana from synonymy. Phalerinae is distinguished by morphological features of adults and genitalia that separate it from other notodontid subfamilies.
Pheosia
Pheosia is a Palearctic genus of prominent moths in the family Notodontidae. The genus includes several species, with Pheosia gnoma (Lesser Swallow Prominent) and Pheosia tremula (Swallow Prominent) being the most well-documented. Species within this genus are distinguished by characteristic wing patterns and larval host plant associations with woody plants.
Pheosia rimosa
Black-rimmed Prominent, Fissured Prominent, False-sphinx
Pheosia rimosa is a moth in the family Notodontidae, first described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1864. It is widely distributed across North America with a notable gap in the southeastern United States. The species exhibits a wingspan of 43–62 mm and adults are active from spring through fall. Larvae feed on leaves of Populus and Salix species. The taxon Pheosia portlandia, previously considered a distinct Pacific coastal species, has been synonymized with P. rimosa.
Phryganidia
California Oak Moth
Phryganidia is a genus of prominent moths in the family Notodontidae, containing three species found in western North America. The genus is best known for Phryganidia californica, commonly called the California Oak Moth or California Oakworm, which undergoes periodic population outbreaks that can cause extensive defoliation of oak trees along the California coast. The genus was formerly placed in its own family, Dioptidae, but has been reclassified into Notodontidae. Adults are dull brown with weak flight, while larvae are specialized feeders on oak foliage.
Phryganidia californica
California Oak Moth, California Oakworm
Phryganidia californica, commonly known as the California oak moth or California oakworm, is a moth in the family Notodontidae. It is the only member of its subfamily Dioptinae found north of Mexico. The species is notable for periodic population outbreaks that can cause extensive defoliation of oak trees along the California coast. Adults are active from March to November, with two generations per year in northern California and occasionally three in southern California.
Praeschausia
Praeschausia is a monotypic moth genus in the family Notodontidae, established by Foster Hendrickson Benjamin in 1932. It contains a single species, Praeschausia zapata, described by William Schaus in 1920. The genus is endemic to Mexico.