Owlet-moths
Guides
Condica
Condica is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae. The designation "n-sp" indicates an undescribed or unidentified species within this genus. Species in Condica are generally medium-sized noctuid moths with cryptic coloration. The genus is part of the diverse owlet moth fauna of North America.
Diastema
Diastema is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Condicinae. The genus was erected by Achille Guenée in 1852. These moths are part of the diverse owlet moth fauna, with species distributed across various regions. The genus name Diastema is derived from Greek, meaning 'space' or 'interval', though the biological significance of this naming in reference to moth morphology is not documented in available sources.
Dichagyris
Dichagyris is a genus of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Noctuinae. The genus was established by Lederer in 1857 and now includes several former genera—Loxagrotis, Pseudorichia, Pseudorthosia, and Mesembragrotis—as subgenera. The name derives from Greek elements meaning 'apart, asunder; double' and 'the finest meal or flour'. Species in this genus are found primarily in the Palearctic region, with some distribution extending into North America.
Euchalcia
Euchalcia is a genus of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Plusiinae. Species occur across Europe and Central Asia, with notable diversity in high-mountainous regions of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. DNA studies using mitochondrial COI gene sequences indicate greater genetic divergence among Central Asiatic high-mountain populations compared to European species. The genus was established by Hübner in 1821.
Homorthodes
Homorthodes is a genus of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae, established by McDunnough in 1943. The genus comprises approximately 20 described species distributed primarily in North America. One species, Homorthodes lindseyi, is commonly known as the Southern Scurfy Quaker Moth. Species within this genus are part of the tribe Eriopygini within the subfamily Noctuinae.
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.
Mammifrontia
Mammifrontia is a genus of noctuid moths erected by William Barnes and Arthur Ward Lindsey in 1922. The genus contains three described species: M. leucania, M. rileyi, and M. sarae. These moths belong to the subfamily Noctuinae, one of the largest groups within the family Noctuidae. The genus name likely refers to distinctive frontal head structures, though this has not been formally documented.
Marilopteryx
Marilopteryx is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Franclemont in 1982. The genus contains three described species distributed in the Americas. Members of this genus are classified within the subfamily Noctuinae and tribe Eriopygini, a group of owlet moths.
Megalographa
Megalographa is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae (owlet moths). The genus is primarily known from the Americas, with most species distributed in North and Central America. Species in this genus are generally medium-sized nocturnal moths. The genus name refers to the large size of the wing markings relative to body size.
Meropleon
Meropleon is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Dyar in 1924. The genus contains six described species distributed in North America. These moths belong to the subfamily Noctuinae, commonly known as owlet moths. Species within Meropleon have been documented from the United States, with particular records from Vermont.
Noctuoidea
Owlet Moths and Allies
Noctuoidea is the largest superfamily of Lepidoptera, comprising more than 70,000 described species. Members are commonly known as owlet or noctuid moths. The superfamily is characterized by the presence of a metathoracic tympanal organ (hearing structure). Classification remains unstable due to extensive molecular phylogenetic revisions, with major families including Noctuidae, Erebidae, Nolidae, Euteliidae, Notodontidae, Oenosandridae, and Scranciidae. The group is divided into two major lineages based on forewing venation: trifid (Oenosandridae, Notodontidae) and quadrifid (all other families).
Paradiarsia
Paradiarsia is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by McDunnough in 1929. The genus belongs to the subfamily Noctuinae, a diverse group commonly known as owlet moths. Species within Paradiarsia are primarily found in North America. The genus is characterized by medium-sized moths with relatively dull coloration, typical of many noctuine moths.
Pronoctua
Pronoctua is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, described by Smith in 1894. The genus is placed within the subfamily Noctuinae, one of the largest subfamilies of owlet moths. Very few observations of this genus exist in public databases, suggesting it may be rare, geographically restricted, or understudied.
Provia
Provia is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Noctuinae. The genus was established by Barnes and McDunnough in 1910. Species within this genus are part of the diverse owlet moth fauna of North America. The genus is not widely studied, and specific ecological details for most species remain poorly documented.
Stiriinae
owlet moths
Stiriinae is a subfamily of owlet moths (Noctuidae) comprising approximately 160 described species across more than 20 genera. The group underwent significant taxonomic revision in 2019–2021 based on phylogenetic research, with the former tribe Stiriini elevated to subfamily status and internal classification reorganized into two tribes: Stiriini and Annaphilini. The subfamily exhibits exceptional host plant specialization, with many species feeding on a single Asteraceae species.
Stiriini
owlet moths (tribe)
Stiriini is a tribe of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae, containing approximately 16 genera and over 90 described species. The tribe underwent significant taxonomic revision in 2019 when phylogenetic research revealed it was polyphyletic, resulting in the elevation of former subtribes Grotellinae and Stiriinae to subfamily rank. Stiriini is now placed within the subfamily Stiriinae and comprises primarily the former subtribe Stiriina plus additional genera. Members of this tribe occur in North America, with some representation in Central America and the Caribbean.
Sutyna
Sutyna is a genus of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Todd in 1958. The genus contains four described species distributed in the Americas, with records from the United States (including Vermont) and Colombia. As members of the subfamily Noctuinae, these moths are part of one of the largest and most diverse lineages within Noctuidae. The genus remains poorly documented in published literature beyond taxonomic descriptions.
Trachea
Trachea is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Noctuinae, and tribe Dypterygiini. The genus was established by Ochsenheimer in 1816. Species in this genus are nocturnal and belong to the diverse owlet moth group, characterized by stout bodies and cryptic coloration typical of the family.
Zale
Zale Moths
Zale is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, established by Hübner in 1818. The genus contains numerous species of owlet moths distributed primarily in North America. Larvae of several Zale species are known hosts for parasitoid wasps, including the sphecid wasp Ammophila nigricans. The genus is taxonomically well-established but individual species-level biology remains incompletely documented for many members.