Small-moth
Guides
Eudonia echo
A small crambid moth found in western North America from British Columbia to California. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 15 mm and are active from August to October in California. The species was described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1929 and includes two recognized subspecies.
Eudonia leucophthalma
A small crambid moth with a wingspan of approximately 14 mm, found in western North America from British Columbia and Alberta south to California. Adults are active from May through September and can be distinguished from the similar Eudonia echo by their smaller size and more olivaceous, denser wing shading. The species includes two recognized subspecies: the nominate form in British Columbia and E. l. petaluma in California.
Eudonia rectilinea
Eudonia rectilinea is a small crambid moth described by Zeller in 1874. It is native to western North America, with confirmed records from British Columbia to California and east to Montana. Adults are active from spring through late summer. The species is distinguished by its relatively straight forewing lines, as suggested by its specific epithet.
Eudonia spenceri
Eudonia spenceri is a small crambid moth described by Eugene G. Munroe in 1972. The species is distributed across western North America from California and Arizona northward to Montana and British Columbia. Adults have a forewing length of 8–9 mm and are active from April through September. The species belongs to the subfamily Scopariinae, a group of small moths often associated with moist or riparian habitats.
Eudonia strigalis
striped eudonia moth
Eudonia strigalis, known as the striped eudonia moth, is a small crambid moth described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1906. It occurs across eastern North America from Nova Scotia to Florida. The species shows latitudinal variation in adult activity patterns, with year-round flight in the south and a restricted season in northern populations.
Eugnosta bimaculana
narrow-patch carolella moth, two-spotted carolella
Eugnosta bimaculana is a small tortricid moth with a wingspan of 13–14 mm. It occurs across the southeastern and south-central United States, from Maryland to Florida and west to Texas and Oklahoma. Adults are active year-round in the southern portion of its range, with more restricted flight periods in northern populations.
Eugnosta deceptana
Deceptive Cochylid
Eugnosta deceptana is a small tortricid moth known from southern Texas. Adults are active across much of the year with records from November through January and again in March, May, June, and August. The species was described by August Busck in 1907 and remains poorly documented beyond basic collection data.
Euhyponomeutoides gracilariella
Euhyponomeutoides gracilariella is a small moth species in the family Yponomeutidae (ermine moths), described by August Busck in 1904. The species is known from limited collection records in the Canadian prairie provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. As with many small yponomeutid moths, detailed biological information remains sparse. The genus Euhyponomeutoides contains relatively few described species, most of which are poorly studied.
Eulogia ochrifrontella
Broad-banded Eulogia Moth
Eulogia ochrifrontella is a small snout moth and the sole member of its genus. It is commonly known as the broad-banded eulogia moth. The species occurs across much of North America and has been documented from Canada through the eastern and central United States. It is associated with hardwood trees including pecan, oak, and apple.
Eumarozia malachitana
Sculptured Moth
Eumarozia malachitana, commonly known as the sculptured moth, is a small tortricid moth with a wingspan of 11.5–16 mm. It is widely distributed across eastern North America, with records extending from Ontario and Maine south to Florida and west to Texas and Oklahoma. The species exhibits bivoltine adult activity, with flight periods in July and from September to October. Larvae are known to feed on a diverse range of host plants including woody species and some cultivated plants.
Eupithecia neomexicana
Eupithecia neomexicana is a small pug moth in the family Geometridae described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1946. It occurs in the southwestern United States, specifically western New Mexico and Arizona. Adults are active in late summer, with flight records from late August to early September. The species belongs to a large genus of over 1400 species worldwide, commonly known as pugs for their compact resting posture.
Eutelia furcata
Florida eutelia moth
Eutelia furcata, commonly known as the Florida eutelia moth, is a small noctuid moth first described by Francis Walker in 1865. The species has a wingspan of approximately 30 mm and occurs across the southern United States through Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. It is a member of the family Euteliidae within the superfamily Noctuoidea.
Euxoa churchillensis
Alpine Dart, Churchill euxoa moth
Euxoa churchillensis, known as the Alpine Dart or Churchill euxoa moth, is a noctuid moth species described by McDunnough in 1932. It is characterized by small forewings measuring 10–13 mm in length. The species occupies a distinctive geographic range spanning subarctic Canada and alpine regions of the Rocky Mountains, suggesting adaptation to cold environments. Limited specific ecological data exists for this species, though its placement in the genus Euxoa indicates likely cutworm-type larval biology.
Eviridemas minuta
Eviridemas minuta is a small moth species and the sole member of its genus, which was erected by William Barnes and Foster Hendrickson Benjamin in 1929. Originally described by Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1910, this species belongs to the family Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths. The genus is monotypic, meaning it contains only this single species.
Faculta synthetica
Faculta synthetica is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Walsingham in 1911. It is known from a single locality in Sonora, Mexico. The species has a wingspan of 11–12 mm and exhibits distinctive blackish forewings with purplish tinge, ochreous markings, and complex spotting patterns. Very little is known about its biology beyond the original description.
Fania nanus
Fania nanus is a small moth in the family Cossidae, described by Strecker in 1876. It is known from a limited distribution in the southern United States, with records from Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Adults are active from May to August and have a wingspan of approximately 28 mm.
Filatima albicostella
Filatima albicostella is a small gelechiid moth described by Clarke in 1942. The species is characterized by distinctive wing patterning with a yellowish-white ground color suffused with fuscous and a contrasting pale costal edge. It occurs across a broad North American range spanning from the Pacific Northwest to the southern Great Plains and subarctic Canada.
Filatima depuratella
Filatima depuratella is a small gelechiid moth with a wingspan of approximately 17 mm. It is known from limited records in the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and New Mexico. The species was described by Busck in 1910 and is distinguished by its distinctive wing pattern featuring blackish markings on a pale background.
Fotella
Fotella is a monotypic moth genus in the family Noctuidae, containing the single species Fotella notalis. The genus was established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1882. It is restricted to arid regions of the southwestern United States.
Friseria acaciella
Friseria acaciella is a small gelechiid moth with a wingspan of approximately 13 mm. The species is distinguished by its dark purple forewings with a distinctive yellowish-white quadrangular spot and contrasting lighter apex. It occurs in Mexico and the southern United States, with larvae that feed specifically on Acacia farnesiana.
Friseria cockerelli
mesquite webworm moth, mesquite webworm
Friseria cockerelli is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, commonly known as the mesquite webworm moth. Its larvae are web-forming caterpillars that feed on mesquite (Prosopis spp.) and construct silk webs on host plants. The species occurs in Mexico and the southern United States, with adults active primarily from April to September.
Friseria nona
Friseria nona is a small gelechiid moth described by Hodges in 1966. It is known from Arizona in southwestern North America. The species is morphologically similar to Friseria repentina but distinguished by buff coloration replacing the orange tones found in that species. Knowledge of this species is limited to original description and scattered records.
Gabara subnivosella
wet sand savannah moth, snowy gabara
Gabara subnivosella is a small moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Francis Walker in 1866. It is commonly known as the wet sand savannah moth or snowy gabara. The species has a wingspan of approximately 25 mm and is found in eastern North America.
Glaphyria fulminalis
Black-patched Glaphyria Moth
Glaphyria fulminalis, commonly known as the Black-patched Glaphyria Moth, is a small crambid moth described by Julius Lederer in 1863. It is native to the eastern United States, where it occurs from New England south to Florida and westward to Texas and the Midwest. Adults are active during the summer months and are characterized by their small size and distinctive wing patterning.
Glyphidocera lactiflosella
five-spotted glyphidocera moth
Glyphidocera lactiflosella, commonly known as the five-spotted glyphidocera moth, is a small moth in the family Autostichidae. It was first described by Vactor Tousey Chambers in 1878. The species is characterized by its distinctive wing pattern of five brown spots on a pale cream background. It occurs across the southeastern and eastern United States with a notably extended adult flight period.
Grotella tricolor
A small noctuid moth with a wingspan of 20–23 mm. Adults are active from August to September. The species was first described by William Barnes in 1904.
Gypsonoma salicicolana
Small Gypsonoma Moth
Gypsonoma salicicolana is a small tortricid moth occurring across much of North America. The species is a specialist on willows (Salix), with larvae feeding on leaves of several documented host species. Adults are active primarily in late spring and early summer. The specific epithet 'salicicolana' reflects this association with Salix.
Gyros muirii
Cloaked Bantam
Gyros muirii is a small crambid moth species described by Henry Edwards in 1881. It occurs in the Pacific Northwest region of North America, with records from California, Oregon, and Washington. Adults fly from spring through mid-summer and are characterized by distinctive orange-brown forewings with dark markings. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate form and G. m. rubralis from California.
Helcystogramma chambersella
Chambers' Twirler
Helcystogramma chambersella is a small gelechiid moth with a forewing length of 3.5–5 mm. The species is native to North America and has been recorded across a broad geographic range from Pennsylvania to California. Larvae feed on ragweeds (Ambrosia species), while adults are active from spring through late summer.
Helcystogramma melantherella
A small gelechiid moth described by August Busck in 1900. Adults have distinctive dark, lustrous forewings with contrasting pale markings. Larvae feed on several plant species including Melanthera nivea, the plant genus referenced in the species epithet. The species occurs in the southeastern and south-central United States.
Heliades lindae
Heliades lindae is a small pyralid moth endemic to Arizona, described by Cashatt in 2012. The species is known from limited observations and has a wingspan of 15–17 mm. It is distinguished by brownish red forewings with white dentate antemedial and postmedial lines and light greyish brown hindwings.
Heliocheilus toralis
Heliocheilus toralis is a small noctuid moth found in arid regions of the southwestern United States. The species was described by Grote in 1881 and is characterized by a wingspan of 23–25 mm. It belongs to the subfamily Heliothinae, a group whose larvae often feed on developing seeds.
Heliolonche modicella
Agoseris Flower Moth
Heliolonche modicella is a small moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as the Agoseris Flower Moth. It is notable for its diurnal activity, unusual among noctuid moths. The species has a wingspan of approximately 18 mm. It occurs in western North America, with confirmed records from California.
Heliolonche pictipennis
Red-lined Moth
Heliolonche pictipennis, commonly known as the Red-lined Moth, is a small noctuid moth species described by Grote in 1875. It is native to western North America, with documented occurrences in California and Arizona. The species has a wingspan of 16–17 mm. Larvae are known to feed on specific host plants including Malacothrix glabrata and Rafinesquia neomexicana.
Heliothelopsis unicoloralis
Heliothelopsis unicoloralis is a small crambid moth described in 1914. It is known from a single U.S. state (Arizona) with limited collection records. The species exhibits distinctive dark coloration with subtle metallic and light speckling.
Hemiplatytes epia
Hemiplatytes epia is a species of crambid moth described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1912. It is known from California, USA. Males have forewings 6.5–9 mm long; females 8.5–10 mm. Adults are active from June to October.
Henricus umbrabasana
Brown-shouldered Henricus
Henricus umbrabasana is a small tortricid moth known from the Pacific Coast of the United States. The species was described by Kearfott in 1908 and is characterized by its modest forewing size of 7.5–9 mm. It is one of approximately 40 described species in the genus Henricus, a group of small tortricine moths predominantly distributed in the Nearctic region.
Hileithia aplicalis
Hileithia aplicalis is a small crambid moth described by Guenée in 1854. It is known from the southeastern and southwestern United States, with records from Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Arizona. Adults are active from February through August. The species remains poorly documented, with limited biological information available.
Homosetia costisignella
Homosetia costisignella is a small moth species in the family Meessiidae, originally described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1863 as Tinea costisignella. The species has been reclassified from Tineidae to Meessiidae based on phylogenetic studies. It is known from scattered records in eastern North America, with 88 observations documented on iNaturalist. Like other members of this family, it is presumed to be associated with decaying organic matter or fungal substrates, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Honora montinatatella
snout moth
Honora montinatatella is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, first described by George Duryea Hulst in 1887. It is endemic to western North America, with documented occurrences in Arizona, California, and Washington. The species has a wingspan of approximately 23 mm. It is classified within the subfamily Phycitinae, a diverse group of small moths often associated with dried plant materials.
Hybroma servulella
Yellow Wave Moth
Hybroma servulella, commonly known as the Yellow Wave Moth, is a small moth species in the family Meessiidae (formerly placed in Tineidae). The species was described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1862. It has been documented primarily in the northeastern United States, with Vermont representing a notable location in its known range. The specific epithet and common name suggest distinctive wing patterning, though detailed morphological descriptions are limited in available sources.
Hydrelia inornata
Unadorned Carpet Moth
Hydrelia inornata, the unadorned carpet moth, is a small moth in the family Geometridae. It is characterized by its relatively plain, unmarked wing pattern that distinguishes it from more ornate congeners. The species is broadly distributed across eastern and central North America, with records spanning from the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan south through the United States to North Carolina and Tennessee. The wingspan is approximately 15 mm, making it one of the smaller members of the genus Hydrelia.
Hydriomena macdunnoughi
Hydriomena macdunnoughi is a small geometrid moth described by Louis W. Swett in 1918. It occurs in western North America from Yukon Territory through western Alberta to Colorado. The species has a wingspan of 14–16 mm and exhibits distinctive grey forewings with a dark central band and pale hindwings with brown wavy lines. Adults are active from spring through mid-summer, and larvae feed on willow species.
Hypatopa vestaliella
Hypatopa vestaliella is a small moth species in the family Blastobasidae. It was originally described under the genus Holcocera before being transferred to Hypatopa. The species is known from the northeastern United States, with confirmed records from Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Maine.
Hypenodes palustris
Swampland Hypenodes
Hypenodes palustris is a small moth in the family Erebidae, described by Ferguson in 1954. The species name 'palustris' (Latin for 'of the swamp') reflects its association with wetland habitats. It occurs across northern North America from Alaska through Canada to the northeastern and north-central United States. The species is one of relatively few in the genus Hypenodes, a group of small moths often associated with moist or marshy environments.
Hyperstrotia pervertens
Dotted Graylet
Hyperstrotia pervertens, commonly known as the dotted graylet, is a small moth in the family Erebidae. It was first described by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1918. The species is distributed across eastern North America in woodland and forest habitats. It is a relatively well-documented species with over 1,500 observations on iNaturalist.
Hyperstrotia secta
Black-patched Graylet, black-patched graylet moth
Hyperstrotia secta is a small moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Grote in 1879. It is widely distributed across eastern and central North America, with records spanning from New England to the Gulf Coast and west to Oklahoma. Adults are active during spring and summer months. The species is characterized by its small size and distinctive wing pattern featuring a black patch.
Hypocrisias minima
Least Hypocrisias
Hypocrisias minima, commonly known as the Least Hypocrisias, is a moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. The species was first described by Berthold Neumoegen in 1883. It is a small moth with a wingspan of 31–33 mm. The larvae are known to feed on Viguiera dentata.
Hystrichophora ochreicostana
Hystrichophora ochreicostana is a small tortricid moth in the leafroller family Tortricidae. The genus Hystrichophora contains species that are challenging to identify to species level from photographs alone. This species has been recorded in the Canadian prairie provinces. Like other tortricids, its larval stage is expected to feed within rolled or folded leaves.
Hystrichophora stygiana
A small tortricid moth in the leafroller family, described by Dyar in 1903. The genus Hystrichophora contains species that are challenging to identify to species level from photographs alone. Larval stages roll leaves for concealment, consistent with family traits.