Spring-flying
Guides
Acleris robinsoniana
Robinson's Acleris Moth
Acleris robinsoniana is a small tortricid moth found across North America from the northeastern United States through southern Canada to British Columbia and California. Adults are active primarily in late spring and early summer, with up to two generations per year. The species is specifically associated with California rose (Rosa californica), on which its larvae feed.
Adela purpurea
Purple Fairy Moth
Adela purpurea is a species of fairy longhorn moth in the family Adelidae, described by Francis Walker in 1863. It is widespread across boreal North America, ranging from the Yukon through the Canadian provinces to Quebec and south to northern New Jersey. Adults are active in spring, with flight periods varying by latitude from April in New England to May-June in northern Canada. The species has been observed visiting willow blossoms.
Aethes louisiana
Aethes louisiana is a small tortricid moth described from the United States in 1907. The species is distinguished by its light straw-colored forewings with golden yellow overlay and two dark golden brown basal fasciae. It has been recorded from Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, with adults active during late spring. The species name reflects its association with the state of Louisiana, though current records suggest a broader midwestern distribution.
Andrena barbilabris
Bearded Miner Bee, Long-lipped Miner, Sandpit Mining Bee
A solitary mining bee with a Holarctic distribution, found across Europe, northern Asia, and North America. Females excavate nesting burrows in sandy soils, provisioning cells with pollen and nectar before laying single eggs. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in coloration and is active from early spring through mid-summer.
Andrena prunorum
Prunus Miner Bee, Purple Miner Bee
Andrena prunorum is a solitary mining bee in the subgenus Plastandrena, found across North and Central America. It is a spring-flying species that nests in the ground, with females constructing individual burrows containing multiple brood cells. The species has been observed to prefer pollen from Rosaceae plants, including fruit trees.
Callophrys affinis homoperplexa
Western Green Hairstreak
Callophrys affinis homoperplexa is a subspecies of the western green hairstreak butterfly, a member of the gossamer-winged family Lycaenidae. It occurs in western North America, where adults are active during spring and early summer. The subspecies is distinguished from related populations by subtle differences in wing pattern and coloration.
Callophrys niphon
Eastern Pine Elfin
Callophrys niphon, the eastern pine elfin, is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenidae native to North America. It is closely associated with pine habitats and has a single annual flight period that varies geographically. The species is distinguished from similar elfins by wing pattern characteristics.
Carpatolechia notatella
sallow-leaf groundling
A small gelechiid moth with a wingspan of 12–16 mm, distributed across most of Europe (excluding the Iberian and most of the Balkan Peninsula) and Turkey. Adults fly in late spring, while larvae are active in late summer and feed on willow leaves. The species is closely associated with Salix species as larval hosts.
Catocala consors
Consort Underwing
Catocala consors, the consort underwing, is a North American moth in the family Erebidae. It is one of approximately 250 species in the genus Catocala, commonly known as underwing moths due to their brightly colored hindwings concealed beneath cryptic forewings. The species occurs in the eastern and central United States, with adults active in spring and early summer. Larvae feed on specific host plants including Amorpha fructicosa and Carya species.
Colocasia flavicornis
yellowhorn, Saddled Yellowhorn
Colocasia flavicornis, commonly known as the yellowhorn or Saddled Yellowhorn, is a noctuid moth species described by Smith in 1884. It occurs in eastern North America, with adults active from early spring through late summer. The species produces two generations annually and its larvae feed on the foliage of several deciduous tree genera.
Colocasia propinquilinea
Close-banded Yellowhorn, Closebanded Yellowhorn
Colocasia propinquilinea, known as the close-banded yellowhorn, is a noctuid moth native to North America. It was first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873. The species exhibits latitudinal variation in voltinism, with one generation annually in northern populations and two or more in southern populations. Adults are active in spring and summer, with timing shifting by latitude.
Erynnis lucilius
Columbine Duskywing
Erynnis lucilius, the columbine duskywing, is a small skipper butterfly (family Hesperiidae) native to northeastern North America. Adults have a wingspan of 21–29 mm and appear in shades of brown. The species is associated with rocky deciduous woodlands and ravines, where its larvae feed on columbine (Aquilegia) leaves. Two generations occur annually in eastern populations, with adults active from early May to mid-June.
Eufidonia convergaria
Pine Powder Moth, Converged Powder Moth
Eufidonia convergaria is a North American geometrid moth commonly known as the pine powder moth. The species is strongly associated with Pinus forests across northern and western regions of the continent. Adults are active in late spring and early summer, with larvae specialized on pine foliage.
Gymnocheta
Gymnocheta is a genus of tachinid flies comprising approximately 12 described species distributed across the Palaearctic region. The genus is distinguished by metallic green coloration in some species, a trait shared with only one other European tachinid genus. Members are parasitoids of Lepidoptera, with larvae developing inside host caterpillars. The genome of G. viridis was sequenced as part of the Darwin Tree of Life Project.
Hydriomena transfigurata
Transfigured Hydriomena Moth
Hydriomena transfigurata is a small geometrid moth native to North America. The species is broadly distributed across eastern and central regions of the continent, from Canada to the southeastern United States. Adults are active primarily in spring and early summer, with larvae specializing on pine hosts.
Hyppa
Hyppa is a genus of noctuid moths distributed across the Holarctic region. The genus contains at least six described species, including the widespread Hyppa xylinoides and the type species Hyppa rectilinea. Species within this genus are generally medium-sized moths with relatively nondescript forewing patterns. Larval stages are associated with herbaceous vegetation, though specific host relationships remain incompletely documented for most species.
Lampropteryx suffumata
Water Carpet, Water Carpet Moth
A small to medium-sized geometrid moth with a wingspan of 25–32 mm, characterized by brownish forewings with distinctive whitish lateral bands and a serrated dark midfield. The species has a remarkably broad distribution spanning the entire Holarctic, from Ireland across Eurasia to Alaska and western Canada. Adults are active in spring, with larvae feeding exclusively on Galium species. The species overwinters as a pupa in a silken cocoon spun among the host plant.
Melanolophia
Melanolophia is a genus of geometrid moths established by George Duryea Hulst in 1896. Species within this genus are commonly referred to as forest loopers, reflecting their woodland habitat associations and the characteristic looping movement of their larvae. Some species, particularly Melanolophia imitata, occur in large numbers and attract attention due to their abundance, though they show limited migratory behavior. At least one species, Melanolophia consimilaria, has been documented as a defoliator of eucalyptus in Brazil.
Melanolophia imitata
Western Carpet, Green-striped Forest Looper
A spring-flying geometrid moth of western North America, notable for large, pale adults that occur in consistently high abundance. Adults fly during late evening and are less attracted to light than many moth species. The species shows minimal migratory movement but can form dense aggregations that create visible 'clouds' in forested habitats. Larvae are conifer-feeding loopers that prefer Douglas fir, Tsuga, and Abies.
Noctueliopsis aridalis
Zigzag Bantam
Noctueliopsis aridalis is a small desert-dwelling moth in the family Crambidae, commonly known as the Zigzag Bantam. It was described by William Barnes and Foster Hendrickson Benjamin in 1922. The species is restricted to arid regions of the southwestern United States.
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.
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.
Prolita sexpunctella
six-spot groundling, long-horned flat-back, groundling
Prolita sexpunctella is a small gelechiid moth with a wingspan of 13–17 mm, found across Europe and North America. Adults are active during May and June and are diurnal. The species is notable for its distinctive wing pattern featuring five white fasciae on dark reddish-brown forewings. Larvae are leaf-tiers that feed on specific host plants including heather and mountain avens.
Proserpinus clarkiae
Clark's sphinx
Proserpinus clarkiae, known as Clark's sphinx, is a small sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae. It occurs in western North America from British Columbia to Baja California and eastward to the Rocky Mountain states. Adults fly in spring and feed on nectar from diverse flowering plants, while larvae specialize on Clarkia unguiculata.
Protogygia
Protogygia is a genus of noctuid moths described by McDunnough in 1929, comprising approximately 17 described species distributed primarily in western North America. The genus is characterized by medium-sized adults with distinctive wing patterning and is associated with arid and semi-arid habitats, particularly active sand dune systems. Species identification relies heavily on male genitalia morphology, with several species groups recognized based on structural features of the uncus and clasper. The genus includes recently described species, reflecting ongoing taxonomic refinement in this cryptic group.
Semioscopis megamicrella
Pale Semioscopis
Semioscopis megamicrella is a small moth in the family Depressariidae, first described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1902. It is known from the northern United States and southern Canada. The species has a wingspan of 15–25 mm and is active as an adult in spring.
Tebenna gemmalis
Jeweled Tebenna
Tebenna gemmalis, commonly known as the Jeweled Tebenna, is a small moth in the family Choreutidae. It occurs in western North America from California to British Columbia. Adults are active during spring and early summer, with flight records from April through July in California.
Zale helata
Brown-spotted Zale Moth
Zale helata, commonly known as the brown-spotted zale moth, is a noctuid moth species first described by Smith in 1908. It inhabits barrens and pine woodlands across central and eastern North America. Adults are active from May to June with a single generation per year. The species has a wingspan of 35–41 mm.