Small-moth
Guides
Idaea furciferata
Notch-winged Wave, notch-winged wave moth
Idaea furciferata, commonly known as the notch-winged wave moth, is a small geometrid moth native to eastern and central North America. Adults are active from spring through mid-summer, with males slightly larger than females. The species is associated with open habitats where its larval host plants, clover and dandelion, occur.
Idaea tacturata
dot-lined wave moth
Idaea tacturata is a small geometrid moth occurring in the southeastern United States. The species was described by Francis Walker in 1861 and is active year-round in the southern portion of its range. Larvae feed on Trifolium species (clovers).
Keiferia elmorei
Keiferia elmorei is a small gelechiid moth described in 1936. The species is known from California and is associated with Solanum host plants. Larvae are leaf miners.
Leptosteges parthenialis
Leptosteges parthenialis is a small crambid moth described in 1917 from the southern United States. The species is documented from Florida, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. Adults are active during the warmer months, with flight records spanning May through August.
Leptosteges vestaliella
Leptosteges vestaliella is a small crambid moth described by Zeller in 1872. It occurs in the southeastern and south-central United States. Adults are active from late spring through early autumn. The species is among the smaller members of its genus.
Leucomele miriamella
Leucomele miriamella is a small moth species in the family Meessiidae, described by Dietz in 1905. The species is part of a poorly studied group of microlepidoptera, with limited biological information available. It has been recorded in North America based on specimen collections and observations. The genus Leucomele contains few described species, all characterized by distinctive wing patterns and reduced wing venation.
Lipocosma albinibasalis
Fancy Lipocosma
Lipocosma albinibasalis is a small crambid moth described by Munroe in 1995. It occurs in arid regions of southwestern North America including Arizona, California, and Baja California. Adults are active during summer months.
Lipocosma sicalis
Brown-banded Lipocosma Moth
Lipocosma sicalis is a small crambid moth distributed across eastern and central North America. The species was described by Francis Walker in 1859 based on a specimen originally placed in the genus Leucinodes. Adults are active from spring through mid-summer and are characterized by a wingspan of approximately 15 mm. The common name 'Brown-banded Lipocosma Moth' reflects distinctive patterning on the wings.
Lobocleta peralbata
Speckled Wave
Lobocleta peralbata is a small geometrid moth known as the Speckled Wave, with a wingspan of 11–20 mm. It is widespread across the southeastern and southwestern United States. Adults are active nearly year-round, from December through September. The species belongs to the subfamily Sterrhinae, which includes many small wave moths with delicate patterning.
Loxocrambus coloradellus
A small crambid moth described by Charles H. Fernald in 1893. Adults are active in late spring and mid-summer, with a wingspan of 17–22 mm. Known from limited records in California and Colorado.
Loxostege brunneitincta
A small crambid moth described by Eugene G. Munroe in 1976. Adults are active during late spring and early summer. The species is known from a limited number of records in the western United States.
Lozotaenia exomilana
Lozotaenia exomilana is a small tortricid moth described by Franclemont in 1986. It is known from a limited geographic range in the eastern United States, specifically North Carolina and Virginia. The species has a wingspan of 11–13 mm and adults are active during the summer months.
Lozotaenia rindgei
Lozotaenia rindgei is a small tortricid moth described by Obraztsov in 1962. It occurs across a broad North American range spanning from the Yukon and British Columbia south to Oregon, Wyoming, and Washington, with an isolated eastern population in North Carolina. The species is active during summer months.
Lygropia plumbicostalis
Lygropia plumbicostalis is a small crambid moth described by Grote in 1871. The species has a wingspan of approximately 27 mm. It occurs in the southwestern and southeastern United States, with records from Arizona, Florida, and Texas. Adults are active from May through September.
Macaria transitaria
Blurry Chocolate Angle
Macaria transitaria is a small geometrid moth commonly known as the blurry chocolate angle. It is native to North America and recognized by its relatively compact wingspan of 23–26 mm. The species is associated with pine forests, as its larvae feed on Pinus species.
Macrorrhinia aureofasciella
Macrorrhinia aureofasciella is a small snout moth described by Émile Louis Ragonot in 1887. It belongs to the subfamily Phycitinae within the family Pyralidae. The species is known from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and Texas.
Maliattha concinnimacula
red-spotted glyph, red-spotted maliattha, red-spotted lithacodia
Maliattha concinnimacula is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Guenée in 1852. Commonly known as the red-spotted glyph, this small moth is found in North America. The species is part of the subfamily Eustrotiinae and is assigned Hodges number 9050 in the North American moth numbering system. It has been documented in at least 1,242 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is relatively well-recorded among citizen scientists.
Meropleon diversicolor
multicolored sedgeminer moth
Meropleon diversicolor, commonly known as the multicolored sedgeminer moth, is a small noctuid moth with a wingspan of approximately 29 mm. It is widely distributed across eastern and central North America, with records spanning from Quebec and New Brunswick south to Georgia and west to Kansas and Oklahoma. The species is strongly associated with wetland habitats and has a larval stage that bores into sedges (Carex and related genera). Adults are active from June through October, with peak abundance in August and September.
Mesolia incertellus
Mesolia incertellus is a small crambid moth described by Zincken in 1821. It is known from the southeastern United States, with records from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Illinois. The species exhibits nearly year-round adult activity in Florida, suggesting adaptation to subtropical conditions. Its small size and broad seasonal presence distinguish it from many temperate moth species.
Metalectra diabolica
diabolical fungus moth
Metalectra diabolica is a small moth in the family Erebidae, first described in 1924. It occurs in the southeastern and south-central United States, with adults active primarily during spring and summer months. The species is known to feed on fungi during its larval stage.
Microcausta flavipunctalis
Rusty Microcausta Moth
Microcausta flavipunctalis is a small crambid moth with a wingspan of approximately 10 mm. It occurs in the Caribbean region and southeastern United States, with confirmed records from Florida, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. Adults are active primarily during winter and spring months, with flight records spanning December through May and October.
Microcrambus kimballi
Kimball's Grass-veneer
Microcrambus kimballi is a small grass-veneer moth in the family Crambidae, described by Alexander Barrett Klots in 1968. It is found in the southeastern and eastern United States, with records from nine states ranging from Maryland to Texas. The species has a wingspan of 14 mm and exhibits extended adult activity from February through November.
Microphysetica hermeasalis
Microphysetica hermeasalis is a small crambid moth described by Francis Walker in 1859. It has a wingspan of 9–10 mm and occurs across the Caribbean Basin, including Florida, Mexico, Central America, the Antilles, and northern South America. Adults are active during specific periods in Florida, with flight records from March through June and again from November through December.
Microtheoris vibicalis
Whip-marked Snout Moth
Microtheoris vibicalis is a small crambid moth native to the south-central United States. It was described by Zeller in 1873 and is commonly known as the whip-marked snout moth. The species is characterized by its diminutive size and extended seasonal activity.
Mimorista trimaculalis
Mimorista trimaculalis is a small crambid moth described by Grote in 1878. It occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States. Adults are active during the warm season, with records spanning May through September. The species name refers to the three spots (tri-maculalis) characteristic of its wing pattern.
Monochroa harrisonella
Monochroa harrisonella is a gelechiid moth described by August Busck in 1904. It is a small moth with distinctive wing markings, including a prominent black streak on the forewing fold and a round black spot at the end of the cell. The species has been recorded across a broad North American range spanning the Pacific coast and Florida.
Monopis spilotella
Orange-headed monopis
Monopis spilotella is a small tineid moth described by Tengström in 1848. The species has a transcontinental distribution spanning northern Eurasia and North America. Adults are active during the summer months with a flight period extending from May through September. The species is known by the common name Orange-headed monopis.
Nascia acutellus
Streaked Orange Moth
Nascia acutellus, commonly known as the streaked orange moth, is a small crambid moth native to eastern and central North America. First described by Francis Walker in 1866, this species inhabits wet grassy areas with sedges. Adults are active from late spring through summer, with a wingspan of approximately 22 mm. The larval stage likely feeds on Cyperaceae (sedge family) species.
Nasusina vallis
Nasusina vallis is a small geometrid moth described by Ferris in 2004. It is known from a restricted locality in western Colorado, specifically John Brown Canyon. The species inhabits arid canyon terrain and has been documented with forewing lengths of 9–10 mm. Adults are active in mid to late spring.
Nephrogramma separata
Three-spotted Kidney Moth
Nephrogramma separata is a small crambid moth known as the Three-spotted Kidney Moth. It occurs in the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. The species has a forewing length of 8–10 mm and is active as an adult from July through September. It belongs to the subfamily Glaphyriinae within the family Crambidae.
Niasoma metallicana
Niasoma metallicana is a small tortricid moth described by Walsingham in 1895. It occurs in the southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States, with records from seven states spanning from Massachusetts to Texas. The species has a wingspan of 14–21 mm. It was originally described under the genus Platynota before being transferred to Niasoma.
Noctueliopsis bububattalis
Tawny Bantam
Noctueliopsis bububattalis is a small crambid moth native to southwestern North America. It was first described by George Duryea Hulst in 1886. Adults are active in early spring and can be recognized by their distinctive dark maroon-brown forewings with white transverse lines. The species is commonly known as the Tawny Bantam.
Nola ovilla
Woolly Nola Moth, Sharp-blotched Nola Moth
Nola ovilla is a small nolid moth species found in North America. It is commonly known as the woolly nola moth or sharp-blotched nola moth. The species was first described by Grote in 1875. It is assigned Hodges number 8995 in the North American moth classification system. As a member of the family Nolidae, it belongs to a group of moths often characterized by relatively small size and cryptic coloration.
Notocelia cynosbatella
Yellow-faced Bell
Notocelia cynosbatella is a small tortricid moth with a wingspan of 16–22 mm. It has a broad distribution across the Palearctic, ranging from Europe through eastern Russia and extending into Asia Minor, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, and Mongolia. Adults are active in late spring, with flight activity recorded in May and June. The species is commonly known as the Yellow-faced Bell.
Ocnerostoma piniariella
White Pine Ermel
A small European moth in the family Yponomeutidae, characterized by its narrow, light grey forewings and grey hindwings. Adults fly in a single generation during summer months. The species is closely similar to Ocnerostoma friesei and requires careful examination for identification.
Oegoconia deauratella
Scarce Obscure Moth
Oegoconia deauratella, commonly known as the Scarce Obscure Moth, is a small gelechioid moth in the family Autostichidae. It has a wingspan of 11–15 mm and is known from most of Europe and parts of North America including Québec, Ontario, and Michigan. The species was first described by Herrich-Schäffer in 1854.
Oegoconia novimundi
Four-spotted Yellowneck Moth
Oegoconia novimundi is a small moth in the family Autostichidae, described by Busck in 1915. It is known from southern and central Europe, including Mediterranean islands, with records spanning from the Iberian Peninsula to the Balkans. The common name "Four-spotted Yellowneck Moth" refers to diagnostic markings on the adult. The species has been documented across diverse European habitats but detailed biology remains poorly known.
Ogdoconta sexta
Ogdoconta sexta is a small noctuid moth described in 1913 from extreme southern Texas. Adults are active in spring and early summer, with a secondary flight period in September. The species has a very restricted known range, limited to two counties at the Texas-Mexico border.
Oidaematophorus cretidactylus
Chalky Plume Moth
Oidaematophorus cretidactylus, known as the Chalky Plume Moth, is a small plume moth in the family Pterophoridae. It is characterized by its whitish ochreous forewings with fawn-colored markings and a wingspan of approximately 26 mm. The species has been documented in scattered locations across North America.
Olethreutes clavana
Olethreutes clavana is a small tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae. It was first described by Francis Walker in 1863. As a member of the diverse Olethreutes genus, it is one of many small, often overlooked moth species that contribute to ecosystem function. Specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in available literature.
Olethreutes exoletum
wretched olethreutes moth
Olethreutes exoletum is a small tortricid moth commonly known as the wretched olethreutes moth. It is one of numerous Olethreutes species found in North America, distinguished by its modest size and membership in a taxonomically complex genus. The species was described by Zeller in 1875 and holds Hodges number 2791 in the North American moth classification system. Like many Olethreutinae, it is likely associated with woody plants, though specific host relationships remain poorly documented.
Oxycilla malaca
Bent-lined Tan
Oxycilla malaca, commonly known as the bent-lined tan, is a small moth species in the family Erebidae. It was described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1875. The species is distributed across the southeastern and central United States, with records from ten states ranging from Texas to Pennsylvania. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 20 mm. The species is assigned Hodges number 8407 in the North American moth classification system.
Oxyptilus delawaricus
Hawkweed Plume Moth
Oxyptilus delawaricus is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, described by Zeller in 1873. It is known from North America, with records from Canada and multiple U.S. states including California, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. The species is small, with a wingspan of 17–18 mm. It is commonly referred to as the Hawkweed Plume Moth, suggesting an association with plants in the genus Hieracium.
Palpita freemanalis
Freeman's Palpita Moth
Palpita freemanalis is a small crambid moth in the subfamily Spilomelinae, described by Eugene G. Munroe in 1952. It occurs across the southeastern and central United States, with adults active primarily during late summer. The species is characterized by its modest size and relatively broad geographic distribution within its range.
Palpita kimballi
Kimball's palpita moth
Palpita kimballi is a small crambid moth endemic to the southeastern United States. Adults have forewings measuring 14–15 mm and are active primarily from July through October. The species was described by Eugene G. Munroe in 1959 and is named in honor of Charles P. Kimball, author of The Lepidoptera of Florida: An Annotated Checklist.
Pandemis morrisana
A small tortricid moth first described from Canada in 1978. The species was originally placed in the genus Archepandemis but has since been transferred to Pandemis. It is known from a single Canadian province with limited published information on its biology.
Paralobesia spiraeifoliana
Paralobesia spiraeifoliana is a species of tortricid moth described by Heinrich in 1923. It belongs to the genus Paralobesia, which includes several species associated with host plants. The species is recorded from the northeastern United States, with documented occurrences in Vermont. Like other members of the family Tortricidae, it is a small moth with characteristic wing posture at rest.
Paraplatyptilia auriga
False Foxglove Plume Moth
Paraplatyptilia auriga is a small plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, described in 1921 by Barnes and Lindsey. It is restricted to eastern North America and is associated with false foxglove (Gerardia) and other Asteraceae hosts. The species is one of approximately 38 observation records on iNaturalist, suggesting it is not frequently encountered.
Parapoynx maculalis
polymorphic pondweed moth
Parapoynx maculalis, commonly known as the polymorphic pondweed moth, is a small aquatic moth in the family Crambidae. It inhabits freshwater environments across eastern North America, from Florida and Texas north to Canada. The species is distinguished by its small size, white forewings with fuscous markings, and fully aquatic larval stage that feeds on submerged plants.
Pelochrista albiguttana
Pelochrista albiguttana is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, first described by Zeller in 1875. It belongs to the large genus Pelochrista, which contains numerous small moth species primarily found in the Holarctic region. Like other members of its family, it is a small moth with larvae that typically develop within plant tissues. The species has been documented through iNaturalist observations, indicating ongoing interest from naturalists and entomologists.