Small-moth
Guides
Pelochrista argentifurcatana
Pelochrista argentifurcatana is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, first described by Grote in 1876. It belongs to the large genus Pelochrista, which contains numerous small moth species. The species is part of the subfamily Olethreutinae and tribe Eucosmini. Limited observational data exists for this species, with 31 records documented on iNaturalist.
Pelochrista comatulana
Pelochrista comatulana is a small tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae. It was originally described by Zeller in 1876 under the name Paedisca comatulana. The species belongs to the large genus Pelochrista, which contains numerous small, often drab-colored tortricid moths. Like other members of its family, it is a nocturnal insect attracted to ultraviolet light sources.
Pelochrista dapsilis
Pelochrista dapsilis is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae, and tribe Eucosmini. It was described by Carl Heinrich in 1929. Like other members of its genus, it is a small moth with typical tortricid morphology. The species is part of a large and diverse genus of tortricid moths found primarily in the Holarctic region.
Pelochrista griselda
Pelochrista griselda is a small tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, described by Blanchard and Knudson in 1982. Like other members of the genus Pelochrista, it belongs to the subfamily Olethreutinae and tribe Eucosmini. The species is documented in taxonomic databases but remains poorly known in terms of its biology and ecology.
Pelochrista mirosignata
Pelochrista mirosignata is a small tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae. It belongs to the large genus Pelochrista, which contains numerous species of small moths often difficult to distinguish without close examination. The species was described by Heinrich in 1929. Like other members of its family, it is likely nocturnal and attracted to ultraviolet light sources.
Pelochrista mobilensis
Pelochrista mobilensis is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, first described by Heinrich in 1923. It belongs to the genus Pelochrista, a diverse group of small moths within the subfamily Olethreutinae. The species epithet 'mobilensis' suggests a type locality connection to Mobile, Alabama or a related geographic reference. No vernacular name has been established for this species.
Pelochrista momana
Pelochrista momana is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae, and tribe Eucosmini. It was described by Kearfott in 1907. The genus Pelochrista contains numerous small moth species, many of which are poorly documented in terms of biology and ecology. No common name has been assigned to this species.
Pelochrista popana
A small tortricid moth in the genus Pelochrista, described by Kearfott in 1907. As a member of the tribe Eucosmini, it belongs to a diverse group of small moths often referred to as tortrix moths or leafroller moths. The genus Pelochrista contains numerous species that are frequently challenging to distinguish without detailed examination.
Pelochrista shastana
Pelochrista shastana is a small tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae. The species was described by Walsingham in 1879. Like other members of the genus Pelochrista, it belongs to the tribe Eucosmini, a group of small moths often referred to as 'bell moths' or 'tortricid leafrollers.' Very few documented observations of this species exist in public databases.
Perimede ricina
Perimede ricina is a small moth described by Ronald W. Hodges in 1962. The species is currently classified in the family Momphidae, though it was historically placed in Cosmopterigidae. It occurs in eastern and central North America, with records spanning from Louisiana to Massachusetts. Adults are active primarily during spring through fall, with some late-season activity in November.
Phtheochroa fulviplicana
Phtheochroa fulviplicana is a small tortricid moth described by Walsingham in 1879. The species exhibits a disjunct distribution across North America, with records from both eastern (Maine) and western (Alberta, Nevada, California) localities. Its adult flight period spans late spring through summer, with an additional December record suggesting possible multivoltinism or late-season emergence in some populations. The species epithet 'fulviplicana' refers to tawny or yellowish-brown wing markings.
Platynota rostrana
Omnivorous Platynota Moth
Platynota rostrana is a small tortricid moth with a wingspan of 13–17 mm, distributed across the Americas from the United States through Central America to South America, with established populations in the West Indies and occasional records in Europe via accidental importation. The species is known to be a pest of citrus and other crops, with larvae that feed on a variety of plant materials.
Platynota yumana
Platynota yumana is a small moth species in the family Tortricidae, commonly known as leafroller moths. It is known only from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and California. The species has a wingspan of approximately 15 mm. Like other members of its genus, it likely has larvae that feed on plant material, though specific host records for this species are not documented.
Polopeustis arctiella
Polopeustis arctiella is a small snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Gibson in 1920. It is restricted to northern North America, with records from the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Manitoba, as well as the territory of Nunavut. The species has a wingspan of approximately 22 mm. It belongs to the subfamily Phycitinae, a diverse group of pyralid moths whose larvae often feed on stored products or plant materials.
Ponometia virginalis
Virgin Bird-Dropping Moth
Ponometia virginalis is a small noctuid moth commonly known as the Virgin Bird-Dropping Moth. The species is named for its resemblance to bird droppings, a form of camouflage. It occurs across western and central North America from Texas to Wyoming and west to Arizona. The forewings measure approximately 10 mm in length.
Prolita incicur
Prolita incicur is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Ronald W. Hodges in 1966. It occurs in western North America, with records from California, Nevada, Wyoming, Oregon, and Colorado. The species has a wingspan of 17–27 mm and exhibits distinctive pale buff to orange forewings with brown markings.
Prolita princeps
Prolita princeps is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by August Busck in 1910. It is found in western North America, with records from California, Washington, Montana, Oregon, New Mexico, Utah, and British Columbia. The wingspan ranges from 16.5 to 20 mm. The species is characterized by distinctive scale patterns on the forewings, with buff white and brown coloration.
Prorella albida
Prorella albida is a small geometrid moth in the subfamily Larentiinae, first described from North American material in 1923. It is characterized by its diminutive size, with a wingspan of approximately 14 mm. Adults have been documented during summer and autumn months in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States. The species appears to be univoltine or bivoltine based on scattered flight records.
Prorella discoidalis
Prorella discoidalis is a small geometrid moth described by John Arthur Grossbeck in 1908. The species is restricted to the southwestern United States, occurring in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 17 mm and appear in two generations annually, with flight periods in June and August.
Prorella irremorata
A small geometrid moth described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1923, restricted to arid regions of the southwestern United States. Adults are active in spring and again in early autumn. The species is one of several in the genus Prorella, a group of generally small, inconspicuous moths associated with desert and semi-arid habitats.
Prorella neremorata
Prorella neremorata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae, subfamily Larentiinae. It is a small, relatively obscure species with limited published documentation. The species is part of a genus containing several similar small geometrid moths found in western North America.
Prorella remorata
Prorella remorata is a small geometrid moth described by John Arthur Grossbeck in 1907. It is known only from Arizona, where adults have been recorded in March and August. The wingspan measures approximately 18 mm. As a member of the subfamily Larentiinae, it belongs to a diverse group of moths commonly known as carpet moths or pugs.
Prorella tremorata
Prorella tremorata is a small geometrid moth described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1949. It is known from California and Nevada in the western United States. Adults have been recorded in February, April, and October, suggesting either multiple generations or an extended flight period. The species remains poorly documented beyond basic collection records.
Protorthodes orobia
Protorthodes orobia is a noctuid moth described in 1876 and currently recognized as a valid species. It is endemic to eastern Texas, with highest abundance along the Gulf Coast. The species is among the smaller members of its genus, with distinctive forewing maculation. Adults are active in autumn, with flight records limited to October.
Protorthodes perforata
Protorthodes perforata is a small noctuid moth described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1883. The species occurs across the southern United States and into central Mexico, with adults active during two distinct periods in spring and late summer through autumn. It is recognized by its pale gray forewings with contrasting dark spotting pattern.
Psammathodoxa cochlidioides
Psammathodoxa cochlidioides is a small moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Calpinae. The species was described from specimens collected in southern Texas and Mexico. It is characterized by distinctive wing patterning with numerous wavy transverse lines.
Pseudanarta crocea
Crossed Golden Arches
Pseudanarta crocea is a small noctuid moth with a wingspan of approximately 22 mm. It occurs across western North America from the Canadian prairies through the Rocky Mountain states to the southwestern United States. The species was originally described as Anarta crocea by Edwards in 1875 before transfer to Pseudanarta.
Pseudanarta flavidens
Pseudanarta flavidens is a small noctuid moth native to western North America. The species was described by Grote in 1879 and remains relatively poorly documented, with limited published biological information. It is one of approximately 15 species in the genus Pseudanarta, a group of small moths found primarily in North American arid and semi-arid regions.
Psilocorsis quercicella
oak leaftier moth, oak leaf-tying psilocorsis moth
Psilocorsis quercicella is a small moth in the family Depressariidae whose larvae construct leaf shelters by tying oak leaves together. The species is known from the eastern and central United States. Larvae skeletonize oak leaves and serve as prey for parasitoid wasps, including mason wasps in the genus Ancistrocerus. The moth has been observed to have a community of parasitoid species attacking its larval stage.
Ptichodis vinculum
Black-tipped Ptichodis Moth
Ptichodis vinculum is a small erebid moth with a wingspan of 34 mm. It is primarily distributed in the southeastern United States, with scattered records north to New Jersey and New York. The species is closely associated with coastal marshy habitats. Adults are active year-round in Florida, with more seasonal activity likely in northern parts of the range.
Ptycerata
Ptycerata is a monotypic genus of gelechiid moths described by Ely in 1910. The sole species, Ptycerata busckella, is a small North American moth with distinctive forewing patterning. It is named in honor of August Busck, a prominent American entomologist.
Pyrausta atropurpuralis
A small crambid moth described by Grote in 1877, found in the southwestern United States. Adults have a wingspan of 15–18 mm with distinctive reddish-brown forewings bearing a purplish tinge and fuscous hindwings paler at the base. Adult activity has been recorded in September.
Pyrausta augustalis
Pyrausta augustalis is a small crambid moth described by Grote in 1875. It ranges from Texas through Mexico to Central America, with adults recorded active in March, June–July, and November. The wingspan is approximately 18 mm. The species belongs to the genus Pyrausta, which includes several herbivorous species whose larvae feed on flowering plants.
Pyrausta bicoloralis
bicolored pyrausta moth
Pyrausta bicoloralis is a small crambid moth described by Guenée in 1854. Adults display a distinctive yellow and purple wing pattern and are active from June through September. The species occurs across eastern North America from Nova Scotia to Florida and west to Michigan and Texas, with the range extending into South America.
Pyrausta cardinalis
Pyrausta cardinalis is a small crambid moth described by Achille Guenée in 1854. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 12 mm. The species is restricted to the Caribbean region and southern Florida. Adults have been documented in March in Florida.
Pyrausta lethalis
Lethal Pyrausta, lethal pyrausta moth
Pyrausta lethalis is a small crambid moth described by Grote in 1881. It occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. The species is characterized by distinctive purplish-brown forewings with contrasting pale subterminal areas. Adults are active across much of the year, with records spanning March through October.
Pyrausta morenalis
Pyrausta morenalis is a small crambid moth described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1908. It occurs in western North America from Washington to California and westward to Texas and Nevada, with additional records in Mexico. The species has a wingspan of 18–22 mm and exhibits distinctive dark reddish-brown forewings with a bronzy sheen contrasting with pale hindwings. Adults are active primarily from spring through mid-summer, with some records extending into autumn and early winter.
Pyrausta napaealis
Pyrausta napaealis is a small crambid moth described by George Duryea Hulst in 1886. It is found in western North America from Washington to California and eastward to Texas, as well as in northern Mexico. Adults have a wingspan of 17–22 mm and exhibit distinctive ash gray and brown forewing patterning. The species is active primarily from March through August, with some records in October.
Pyrausta pseuderosnealis
Yellow-banded Pyrausta Moth
Pyrausta pseuderosnealis is a small crambid moth described by Eugene G. Munroe in 1976. It occurs across much of the southern and central United States and Mexico. Adults are active year-round in warmer regions, with records spanning January through October. The species belongs to a genus containing several economically significant herbivores, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Rivula pusilla
Rivula pusilla is a small moth species in the family Erebidae, subfamily Rivulinae. It was first described by Heinrich Benno Möschler in 1890. The species is characterized by its diminutive size, with a wingspan of approximately 14 mm. It has been documented across a broad geographic range spanning the southern United States, Caribbean islands, and parts of Central and South America.
Rostrolaetilia texanella
Rostrolaetilia texanella is a species of pyralid moth in the subfamily Phycitinae, first described by Blanchard and Ferguson in 1975. The species is endemic to Texas and surrounding regions of the southern United States. It is a small moth with limited documented observations, reflecting its restricted range and possibly specialized habitat requirements. The genus Rostrolaetilia contains few described species, and this taxon represents one of the better-documented members of this poorly known group.
Schinia antonio
Schinia antonio is a small moth in the family Noctuidae, endemic to southern Texas. It has a wingspan of approximately 9 mm. The larvae are known to feed on species of Aphanostephus, a genus of flowering plants in the aster family. As a member of the genus Schinia, it likely exhibits the flower-associated behavior typical of this group, though specific adult behaviors remain poorly documented.
Schinia cumatilis
silver-banded gem, Silver-banded Gem Moth
Schinia cumatilis is a small noctuid moth known as the silver-banded gem, first described by Grote in 1865. The species occurs across western North America from the southwestern United States into southern Canada. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 24–27 mm. The larvae are specialist feeders on Artemisia frigida.
Schinia illustra
Schinia illustra is a small moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Smith in 1906. It is found in the western United States, specifically in Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. The wingspan measures 24–26 mm. Like other members of the genus Schinia, adults are likely associated with flowers for nectar and resting.
Schinia miniana
Desert Marigold Moth, desert-marigold moth
Schinia miniana is a small noctuid moth native to arid regions of western North America. The species was described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1881. Adults have a wingspan of 19–24 mm. Larvae feed on Baileya (desert marigold), giving the moth its common name.
Schinia vacciniae
Schinia vacciniae is a small noctuid moth with a wingspan of approximately 19 mm. It belongs to the genus Schinia, a diverse group of flower moths known for their often colorful appearance and specialized associations with particular host plants. The species is documented from western North America, with records from Arizona, California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
Scoparia basalis
Many-spotted Scoparia Moth
Scoparia basalis is a small moth in the family Crambidae, commonly known as the many-spotted scoparia moth. The species is characterized by its diminutive size, with a wingspan of approximately 13 mm. It is distributed across much of North America, with records from both the United States and Canada. The specific epithet 'basalis' refers to a basal feature, though the exact morphological reference is not detailed in available sources.
Scoparia palloralis
Scoparia palloralis is a small moth in the family Crambidae, described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1906. It occurs in western North America from British Columbia to southern California, with inland records from Colorado and western Texas. The species exhibits seasonal flight activity in spring and summer, with timing varying by latitude and elevation.
Scoparia penumbralis
Dark Brown Scoparia Moth, dark-brown scoparia moth
Scoparia penumbralis is a small crambid moth described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1906. It is known from eastern and central North America, with records spanning from Alabama and the Carolinas north to Newfoundland, and west to Minnesota and Wisconsin. The species has a wingspan of approximately 12 mm and adults are active from May through September.
Scopula compensata
small frosted wave, Dark-marked Wave
Scopula compensata is a small geometrid moth of the family Geometridae, described by Francis Walker in 1861. The species is known by two common names: 'small frosted wave' (traditional) and 'Dark-marked Wave' (preferred on iNaturalist). It is restricted to the southeastern United States, with confirmed records from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. The wingspan is approximately 15 mm. Like other members of the genus Scopula, the larvae are inchworm-type caterpillars that feed on various plants.