Prominent-moths
Guides
Astiptodonta
Astiptodonta is a genus of prominent moths in the family Notodontidae, containing at least two described species. The genus was established by Miller & Franclemont in 2021. Species in this genus occur in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The genus belongs to the subfamily Heterocampinae within the superfamily Noctuoidea.
Cecrita
prominent moths
Cecrita is a genus of prominent moths in the family Notodontidae, established by Francis Walker in 1855. The genus contains approximately eight described species distributed across North, Central, and South America. These moths are part of the subfamily Heterocampinae. Two species, Cecrita guttivitta (saddled prominent) and Cecrita biundata (wavy-lined heterocampa), are relatively well-known and frequently encountered.
Dicranurinae
Dicranurinae is a subfamily of prominent moths within the family Notodontidae, order Lepidoptera. The subfamily was established by Duponchel in 1845. Members are characterized by distinctive larval morphology, including modified head structures and often prominent anal processes. The group is primarily distributed in the Palearctic and Oriental regions, with some representation in other biogeographic realms.
Furcula
prominent moths
Furcula is a genus of moths in the family Notodontidae, subfamily Cerurinae. The genus contains multiple species distributed across the Holarctic region. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. Larvae are known for their distinctive forked posterior structure, which gives the genus its name (Latin for 'little fork').
Furcula gigans
Furcula gigans is a moth species in the family Notodontidae, first described by McDunnough in 1922. The species has been recorded across central and western Canada and the northeastern United States. Taxonomic status varies by source: Catalogue of Life treats it as accepted, while GBIF lists it as a synonym of Furcula occidentalis. Like other members of the genus Furcula, it belongs to the prominent moth group characterized by distinctive larval morphology including a forked tail-like structure.
Furcula nivea
Furcula nivea is a moth species in the family Notodontidae, first described by Berthold Neumoegen in 1891. It is found in North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 7938. The species includes three recognized subspecies: F. n. nivea, F. n. meridionalis, and F. n. niveata.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Notodontidae
Prominent Moths
Notodontidae is a family of moths comprising approximately 3,800 described species, first established by James Francis Stephens in 1829. The family is distributed globally but reaches its greatest diversity in tropical regions, particularly the New World. Adults are characterized by heavy bodies, long wings held folded across the back at rest, and predominantly dull coloration in grey or brown tones. The family name derives from Greek roots meaning 'back tooth,' referring to the tuft of hair often present on the trailing edge of the forewing. Larvae exhibit remarkable morphological diversity and possess chemical defenses uncommon in other Lepidoptera.
Nystaleinae
Nystaleinae is a subfamily of prominent moths in the family Notodontidae, established by Forbes in 1948. The subfamily comprises approximately 44 genera and 377 species, with recent taxonomic revisions recognizing greater diversity than previously documented. Nystaleinae is distributed exclusively in the Americas, primarily in the Neotropics. Recent phylogenomic studies have revealed that the diurnal subfamily Dioptinae is nested within Nystaleinae, challenging traditional morphological classifications.
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.
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.
Schizura biedermani
Schizura biedermani is a moth species in the family Notodontidae, first described by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1911. It is native to North America and assigned MONA/Hodges number 8004. The species belongs to a genus whose larvae are commonly known as redhumped caterpillars, though specific details about S. biedermani's biology remain poorly documented.
Symmerista
Symmerista is a genus of prominent moths (family Notodontidae) erected by Jacob Hübner in 1821. The genus contains at least nine described species distributed primarily in North America, with several species described from Central America. Larvae are notable for a distinctive leaf-clipping behavior where they sever petioles after feeding and apply red saliva to the cut surface, a trait that has been experimentally demonstrated to introduce salivary constituents into the plant's vascular system to suppress defense responses in nearby leaves.
Symmerista schmidti
Symmerista schmidti is a moth species in the family Notodontidae (prominent moths), described by Miller in 2021. It belongs to the genus Symmerista, which contains several species of caterpillars that serve as hosts for parasitoid wasps, particularly thread-waisted wasps in the genus Ammophila. The genus Symmerista is known for caterpillars that feed on conifer foliage and display cryptic coloration resembling bark or wood.