Small-moth
Guides
Scybalistodes vermiculalis
Scybalistodes vermiculalis is a small crambid moth described by Munroe in 1964. It is known from Arizona in the southwestern United States. The species exhibits bimodal adult activity in spring and late summer. Its small size and specific epithet suggest fine, worm-like markings on the wings.
Sigela penumbrata
Stippled Sigela Moth
Sigela penumbrata, commonly known as the stippled sigela moth, is a small moth species in the family Erebidae. It is native to North America, with documented occurrences in Tennessee and Florida. The species was described by Hulst in 1896.
Singularia walsinghami
Walsingham's Plume Moth
Singularia walsinghami is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae described by Fernald in 1898. The species is found in North America, with records from Colorado and other parts of the western United States. It is named in honor of Lord Walsingham, a notable figure in British entomology. The moth is relatively small, with a wingspan of 25–26 mm, and exhibits characteristic plume moth morphology with divided wings.
Sinoe robiniella
Sinoe robiniella is a small gelechiid moth native to eastern North America. Adults are active from spring through late summer, with timing varying by latitude. The species is specialized on leguminous host plants, with larvae feeding on black locust and related species. It was originally described as Anacampsis robiniella by Asa Fitch in 1859.
Sonia constrictana
constricted sonia moth
Sonia constrictana is a small moth species in the family Tortricidae, commonly known as the constricted sonia moth. It occurs across eastern and central North America, with records from the United States and southern Canada. Adults are active from late spring through early autumn. The species is one of approximately 10,000 described tortricid moths worldwide, a family known for including many economically significant agricultural pests.
Sophronia teretracma
Sophronia teretracma is a small gelechiid moth described by Edward Meyrick in 1927. It is known only from Texas in the United States. The species exhibits distinct sexual dimorphism in forewing coloration, with females sometimes showing more extensive white suffusion.
Sparganothis caryae
Netted Sparganothis Moth
Sparganothis caryae is a small tortricid moth with a wingspan of approximately 17–18 mm. The species is widely distributed across the eastern and central United States, ranging from Massachusetts to Florida and west to Texas and Oklahoma. Despite its specific epithet referencing Carya (hickory), the common name "Netted Sparganothis Moth" suggests a distinctive wing pattern. The species was first described by Robinson in 1869 from the original combination Tortrix caryae.
Spragueia perstructana
Spragueia perstructana is a small noctuid moth described by Francis Walker in 1865. It is notable for its specialized larval diet on Lantana camara, an invasive shrub in many regions. The species occurs across a broad geographic range from the southern United States through the Caribbean and into Central America. Its small size and specific host association distinguish it within the genus Spragueia.
Steniodes declivalis
Steniodes declivalis is a small crambid moth described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1914. It is distinguished from the similar Steniodes gelliasalis by its smaller size, darker coloration, and a sharply angled whitish outer line on the hindwings that touches the outer margin. The species occurs in Panama, Costa Rica, and Venezuela.
Stenoptilia pallistriga
Pale-streaked Plume Moth
Stenoptilia pallistriga is a small plume moth (family Pterophoridae) described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1913. It occurs across the Neotropics and the southeastern United States, with a wingspan of 14–16 mm. Adults are active during multiple periods throughout the year, with flight records spanning February through December.
Stilbosis tesquella
Hog-peanut Leaf-sewer
Stilbosis tesquella is a small moth in the family Cosmopterigidae, described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1860. It is distributed across eastern and central North America, with records from 17 U.S. states and Quebec. The species is notable for its specialized larval diet on leguminous plants.
Symmetrischema lectulifera
Symmetrischema lectulifera is a small gelechiid moth described by Edward Meyrick in 1929. It is known from a limited number of records in Texas, with a wingspan of 13–16 mm. The species belongs to a genus whose members are often associated with Solanaceae plants.
Symmetrischema striatella
Streaked Twirler
Symmetrischema striatella is a small gelechiid moth described by Mary Murtfeldt in 1900. It is native to North America with a broad distribution across the eastern and southern United States, and has been introduced to New Zealand. The species is associated with Solanum nigrum (black nightshade), on whose berries the larvae feed.
Sympistis aterrima
Sympistis aterrima is a small noctuid moth described by Grote in 1879. It is known from limited observations in western North America, with records from California. The species was originally described under the genus Stylopoda before being transferred to Sympistis.
Sympistis hayesi
A small noctuid moth of the Rocky Mountain region, described by Grote in 1873. The species is documented from limited observations and appears to have a restricted distribution in western North America. Wingspan approximately 30 mm.
Sympistis lachrymosa
A small noctuid moth described in 2008 by James T. Troubridge. It is known from a restricted range in the southwestern United States and has a brief adult flight period in autumn. The species epithet "lachrymosa" (tearful) may allude to markings or coloration on the wings.
Sympistis osiris
Sympistis osiris is a moth in the family Noctuidae, described by James T. Troubridge in 2008. The species is known from New Mexico and has a wingspan of 30–34 mm. As a member of the large genus Sympistis, it belongs to a diverse group of noctuid moths found primarily in North America.
Synchlora cupedinaria
Brown-bordered Emerald
Synchlora cupedinaria is a small emerald moth in the family Geometridae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1880. The species is restricted to the Caribbean region and extreme southeastern United States, with confirmed records from Florida, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, and Martinique. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate form and S. c. guadelupensis described by Herbulot in 1988. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 14–17 mm. Like other members of the genus Synchlora, the larvae are known for their remarkable camouflage behavior, adorning their bodies with fragments of host plant material.
Thaumatopsis magnificus
A small crambid moth described by Charles H. Fernald in 1891, found in the southwestern United States. Adults are active during early summer and possess distinctive yellow and white wing patterning.
Thiotricha laterestriata
Thiotricha laterestriata is a small gelechiid moth described by Thomas de Grey, 6th Baron Walsingham, in 1897. It is characterized by distinctive wing patterning with silvery-white forewings, bright orange apical portions, and complex oblique streaks in brownish-grey and white. The species is endemic to the West Indies and has a wingspan of approximately 10 mm.
Thyraylia nana
Birch Conch
Thyraylia nana is a small tortricid moth commonly known as the Birch Conch. First described by Haworth in 1811, this species occurs across Europe, extends into the Amur Oblast of Russia, and has been recorded in Nova Scotia, Canada. The species is associated with birch host plants, reflecting its common name.
Tortyra iocyaneus
Tortyra iocyaneus is a small moth in the family Choreutidae, known from Florida, United States. The species has a wingspan of approximately 14 mm. It is a member of a genus characterized by metallic coloration and distinctive wing patterns.
Tortyra slossonia
Slosson's metalmark moth, reflective tortyra moth, ficus budworm
A small moth in the family Choreutidae, known from Florida. The species was described by Fernald in 1900 and named for entomologist Annie Trumbull Slosson. It has a wingspan of approximately 13 mm. The common name "ficus budworm" suggests an association with Ficus plants, though specific host relationships require confirmation.
Trichopteryx veritata
Trichopteryx veritata is a species of geometrid moth in the subfamily Larentiinae, described by Pearsall in 1907. It is recorded from North America and assigned MONA/Hodges number 7636. The genus Trichopteryx is characterized by small size and distinctive wing fringes. Available records for this species are sparse, with limited observational data.
Triclonella determinatella
Orange-banded Triclonella
Triclonella determinatella is a small moth in the family Momphidae (formerly placed in Cosmopterigidae), known from the southeastern and central United States. Adults are active nearly year-round with peak occurrence from spring through autumn. The species is distinguished by its small size and characteristic orange banding pattern. It has been documented from nine states, primarily in the Gulf Coastal Plain and adjacent regions.
Tripudia rectangula
Rectangular Tripudia Moth
Tripudia rectangula is a small noctuid moth described by Michael G. Pogue in 2009 as part of a revision of the Tripudia quadrifera species complex. It is found across the southeastern and midwestern United States. The species has a wingspan of approximately 14 mm. Larvae feed on Ruellia species.
Trocodima fuscipes
Trocodima fuscipes is a small moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1883. The species is known only from the US state of Arizona. Adults have a wingspan of 18–22 mm and have been recorded flying in April and July. It is a poorly documented species with limited available information on its biology.
Udea washingtonalis
Washington Udea Moth
Udea washingtonalis, commonly known as the Washington Udea Moth, is a small crambid moth described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1882. The species is distributed across western North America, with records from Alaska, British Columbia, California, Montana, and Washington. Adults are active from May to August and have a wingspan of approximately 21 mm. Four subspecies have been recognized, differentiated by geographic distribution.
Undulambia rarissima
Gold-lined Undulambia Moth
Undulambia rarissima is a small crambid moth described by Eugene G. Munroe in 1972. It is known from limited records in Florida, with adults active during two distinct periods: January through May and again in September. The species is considered rare, as reflected in its specific epithet. Larval biology remains poorly documented, though there is tentative association with Polystichum ferns.
Venusia comptaria
brown-shaded carpet moth
Venusia comptaria is a small geometrid moth found in eastern North America. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 20 mm. The species inhabits woodland environments across a broad latitudinal range from Florida to Newfoundland. It was first described by Francis Walker in 1860.
Vitula broweri
Brower's Vitula Moth
Vitula broweri is a small snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Carl Heinrich in 1956. It occurs across much of North America, from Canada to the eastern and central United States. The species is characterized by its modest size and distinctive pale brownish forewings with white-powdered areas.
Vitula setonella
Vitula setonella is a small snout moth species in the family Pyralidae, described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1927. It is known from a limited number of localities in western North America, including British Columbia and parts of the southwestern United States. The species has a wingspan of 14–16 mm.
Walshia dispar
Walshia dispar is a small moth in the family Cosmopterigidae, described by Ronald W. Hodges in 1961. It occurs in eastern North America from Ontario to Virginia. Adults are active during mid-summer. The species is known from very few observations.
Ypsolopha angelicella
Ypsolopha angelicella is a small moth in the family Ypsolophidae, first described by Busck in 1903 as Cerostoma angelicella. The species is known from the United States, particularly California. Adults have distinctive white coloration with contrasting dark markings, and like other ypsolophid moths, exhibit unusual resting posture with the body inverted and antennae extended forward.
Ypsolopha gerdanella
Ypsolopha gerdanella is a small moth in the family Ypsolophidae, recorded from the southwestern United States. The species has a wingspan of approximately 18 mm. Adults display distinctive golden brown forewings marked with a prominent white longitudinal streak edged in black. The species belongs to a genus whose members are noted for their unusual resting posture—adults hang upside down with antennae extended forward.
Ypsolopha schwarziella
Ypsolopha schwarziella is a small moth in the family Ypsolophidae. It is known from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona, Utah, and California. The species has a wingspan of approximately 23 mm. Detailed morphological descriptions exist for this species, including distinctive coloration of the antennae, labial palpi, and wings.
Zelleria celastrusella
Zelleria celastrusella is a species of small ermine moth in the family Yponomeutidae, described by Kearfott in 1903. The species belongs to the genus Zelleria, which comprises small moths often associated with leaf-mining or web-spinning habits. Very few observations of this species have been documented, with only five records in iNaturalist as of the source date.
Zenophleps alpinata
Alpine Zenophleps
Zenophleps alpinata is a small geometrid moth described by Samuel E. Cassino in 1927. The species is known from western Canadian provinces, with records from Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 25 millimetres. The specific epithet 'alpinata' suggests an association with alpine or high-elevation habitats.