Wave-moth
Guides
Cyclophora nanaria
Dwarf Tawny Wave
Cyclophora nanaria, the Dwarf Tawny Wave, is a small geometrid moth first described by Francis Walker in 1861. It is one of the smallest members of its genus, with a wingspan of approximately 16 mm. The species has a broad distribution across the Americas, from the United States through the Caribbean and Central America to South America, and has been introduced to Hawaii.
Cyclophora packardi
Packard's wave moth, Packard's wave
Cyclophora packardi, commonly known as Packard's wave moth or Packard's wave, is a small geometrid moth found in eastern and central North America. Adults are active from spring through early fall, with multiple generations likely occurring during this period. The species exhibits characteristic yellowish to orangish-brown wing coloration. Larval host plant associations remain partially uncertain, with possible feeding on Comptonia and Quercus species.
Idaea bonifata
Fortunate Wave
Idaea bonifata, commonly known as the Fortunate Wave, is a small geometrid moth native to North America. The species was first described by Hulst in 1887 under the basionym Eois bonifata. Adults are characterized by their diminutive size with forewings measuring 6–7 mm in length. The species exhibits an extended flight period spanning March through October, with larvae feeding on decaying leaf matter and stored grains.
Idaea demissaria
Red-bordered Wave, Red-bordered Wave Moth
Idaea demissaria is a small geometrid moth in the family Geometridae, commonly known as the red-bordered wave moth. The species is characterized by distinctive reddish marginal bands on the wings and is distributed across North America. Three subspecies are recognized: I. d. columbia, I. d. demissaria, and I. d. ferrugata. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 7114.
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 gemmata
Idaea gemmata is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae. It was described by Packard in 1876 and is found in North America. The species is assigned Hodges number 7116. It belongs to the large genus Idaea, which contains many small, often brightly patterned moths commonly known as wave moths or carpet moths.
Idaea insulensis
Idaea insulensis is a species of geometer moth in the family Geometridae, described by Rindge in 1958. It belongs to the large genus Idaea, which comprises numerous small, often brightly patterned moths commonly known as wave moths or idaeas. The species epithet 'insulensis' suggests an island-associated distribution, though specific habitat details remain limited in available sources.
Idaea kendallaria
Kendall's Wave
Idaea kendallaria (Kendall's Wave) is a species of geometrid moth described by Covell in 2015. It belongs to the family Geometridae, commonly known as geometer or inchworm moths, and the subfamily Sterrhinae. The species is placed in the genus Idaea, a large and diverse group of small moths often referred to as waves or carpets due to their characteristic wing patterns. As a relatively recently described species, detailed information about its biology and ecology remains limited.
Idaea microphysa
Idaea microphysa is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae, first described by Hulst in 1896. It belongs to the large genus Idaea, commonly known as wave moths or carpet moths, characterized by their typically small size and broad, rounded wings. The species is recorded from North America and is assigned Hodges number 7104 in the MONA (Moths of North America) system.
Idaea micropterata
Idaea micropterata is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae, first described by George Duryea Hulst in 1900. It is native to North America and has been assigned MONA (Moths of North America) or Hodges number 7119. Like other members of the genus Idaea, it belongs to the subfamily Sterrhinae, commonly known as wave moths or carpet moths due to their characteristic wing patterns.
Idaea nibseata
Idaea nibseata is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae, subfamily Sterrhinae. It was described by Cassino in 1931. The species is known from North America and belongs to the large genus Idaea, commonly known as wave moths or dwarf geometer moths.
Idaea obfusaria
rippled wave
Idaea obfusaria, commonly known as the rippled wave, is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae. It was described by Francis Walker in 1861 and is found in North America. The species belongs to the subfamily Sterrhinae, a group of small moths often referred to as waves or carpets due to their characteristic wing patterns.
Idaea pervertipennis
Chestnut-banded Wave
Idaea pervertipennis is a geometrid moth species in the family Geometridae, subfamily Sterrhinae. Originally described by Hulst in 1900 as Cysteophora pervertipennis, it is now classified in the genus Idaea. The species is known from North America and has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 7107. Commonly called the Chestnut-banded Wave, it is documented in biodiversity databases with 339 iNaturalist observations.
Idaea scintillularia
Diminutive Wave
Idaea scintillularia, commonly known as the diminutive wave, is a small geometrid moth native to North America. It belongs to the family Geometridae, which includes the wave moths and inchworms. The species is recognized by its small size and characteristic wing patterns typical of the genus Idaea. It has been assigned the MONA/Hodges number 7105 in North American moth classification systems.
Leptostales crossii
Cross's wave moth, Cross' Wave
Leptostales crossii is a species of geometrid moth in the subfamily Sterrhinae, commonly known as Cross's wave moth. It is characterized by wave-patterned forewings typical of its genus. The species was described by George Duryea Hulst in 1900. It is documented in North America with a moderate number of citizen science observations.
Leptostales rubromarginaria
Dark-ribboned Wave, Dark-ribboned Wave Moth
Leptostales rubromarginaria, known as the dark-ribboned wave, is a geometrid moth first described by Packard in 1871. It belongs to the subfamily Sterrhinae, a group commonly referred to as waves due to their characteristic wing patterns. The species is recorded across North America with over 400 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is moderately well-documented. Its MONA/Hodges number is 7179, a standard North American lepidopteran cataloging identifier.
Lobocleta griseata
Lobocleta griseata is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae, first described by Cassino in 1931. It is a small moth found in North America. The species is assigned Hodges number 7099 in the MONA (Moths of North America) numbering system. Very few observations of this species have been documented, with only two records in iNaturalist as of the available data.
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.
Lobocleta plemyraria
Straight-lined Wave
Lobocleta plemyraria, commonly known as the straight-lined wave, is a species of geometrid moth in the subfamily Sterrhinae. It is distributed across North America. The species is referenced in North American moth classification systems with Hodges number 7097. It is a member of a genus containing multiple wave moth species characterized by subtle wing patterns.
Odontoptila obrimo
Orbed Wave
Odontoptila obrimo, known as the Orbed Wave, is the sole species in the monotypic genus Odontoptila. This geometrid moth is found from the southern United States through Central America. It belongs to the subfamily Sterrhinae, a group commonly referred to as waves due to their characteristic wing patterns.
Pleuroprucha asthenaria
Asthene Wave, asthene wave moth
Pleuroprucha asthenaria, commonly known as the Asthene Wave or asthene wave moth, is a geometrid moth described by Francis Walker in 1861. It belongs to the subfamily Sterrhinae, a group often characterized by wavy wing patterns. The species has a broad distribution spanning North America, the Caribbean, and South America.
Scopula aemulata
Imitator Wave, Rival Wave
Scopula aemulata is a small moth in the family Geometridae, commonly known as the imitator wave or rival wave. The species was described by George Duryea Hulst in 1896 and has a restricted distribution in the southeastern United States. It is one of approximately 237 observations recorded on iNaturalist, indicating it is encountered with moderate frequency by citizen scientists and naturalists.
Scopula benitaria
Scopula benitaria is a small geometrid moth first described from North America in 1913. It is one of many species in the diverse genus Scopula, commonly known as wave moths due to the wavy transverse lines on their wings. The species has been recorded from the southwestern United States, particularly New Mexico and Texas. Like other members of the family Geometridae, its larvae are likely 'inchworms' with reduced prolegs, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented.
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.
Scopula inductata
Soft-lined Wave, soft-lined wave moth
Scopula inductata, commonly known as the soft-lined wave, is a moth in the family Geometridae described by Achille Guenée in 1857. It occurs across North America east of the Rocky Mountains, with adults active from July to September. The species has a wingspan of 20–25 mm and exhibits the characteristic 'wave' pattern typical of its genus.
Scopula quadrilineata
Four-lined Wave Moth, four-lined wave
Scopula quadrilineata, commonly known as the four-lined wave, is a small moth in the family Geometridae native to North America. The species is characterized by its distinctive wing pattern featuring four lines, from which its common name is derived. It occurs across a broad range from eastern Canada through the Great Plains and south to the southeastern United States, with an isolated population recorded in British Columbia.
Scopula quinquelinearia
Five-lined wave moth
Scopula quinquelinearia is a small moth in the family Geometridae, described by Packard in 1871. It is characterized by five distinct longitudinal lines on the forewings, from which its specific epithet derives. The species occurs in North America, with records from Canada and the northern United States. Like other members of the genus Scopula, its larvae are inchworm-type caterpillars that feed on various herbaceous plants and shrubs.
Scopula timandrata
Black-patched Wave
Scopula timandrata is a moth in the family Geometridae, commonly known as the Black-patched Wave. This species is known only from Florida, with a wingspan of approximately 24–27 mm. It belongs to a large genus of geometer moths whose larvae are typically inchworm-like and feed on a variety of plants. The specific epithet 'timandrata' refers to a characteristic feature of the species, though detailed biological information remains limited due to its restricted distribution and apparent rarity.
Scopula umbilicata
swag-lined wave moth
Scopula umbilicata is a small geometrid moth species first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1794. It occurs across a broad geographic range spanning the southern United States, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. The species is characterized by its distinctive white wings with sparse speckling and relatively small size, with a wingspan of approximately 18 mm. Like other members of the genus Scopula, its caterpillars are likely inchworm-type larvae that move with a characteristic looping gait.