Willow-feeder
Guides
Abagrotis cupida
Cupid dart, brown climbing cutworm
Abagrotis cupida is a noctuid moth found across southern Canada and the eastern United States. Adults have a wingspan of 33–35 mm and fly in late summer, with one generation per year. Larvae feed on woody plants including willow, apple, grape, and peach. The species is known by two common names reflecting different life stages: 'Cupid dart' for the adult moth and 'brown climbing cutworm' for the larva.
Acleris effractana
Hook-winged Tortrix Moth
Acleris effractana is a tortricid moth with a Holarctic distribution, found across northern Europe, northwestern Russia, Japan, Canada, and the northwestern United States. It is externally indistinguishable from Acleris emargana, requiring genital examination for positive identification. Adults are active from July to October. The species has historically been underreported due to confusion with its more common congener.
Acronicta impressa
Impressive Dagger, Impressive Dagger Moth, Willow Dagger Moth
Acronicta impressa is a noctuid moth commonly known as the impressive dagger moth or willow dagger moth. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1856. It ranges across western North America from Canada to northwestern Mexico. Adults are active in early to midsummer and are attracted to light. The caterpillars feed on a variety of woody plants including willow, poplar, and rose.
Agonopterix argillacea
Clay-colored Agonopterix Moth
Agonopterix argillacea is a small moth in the family Depressariidae, first described by Walsingham in 1881. It is known from a broad range across North America, from the Pacific coast through the Great Plains to the Atlantic provinces and southeastern United States. The species has been documented from 915 iNaturalist observations.
Agrochola lota
Red-line Quaker
A medium-sized noctuid moth found in damp habitats across Europe and Asia. Adults fly in autumn and are attracted to light. Larvae feed on willow and sallow, hiding in spun leaves during daylight hours. The species was introduced to Newfoundland and has been the subject of long-term population monitoring studies in Europe.
Arctia opulenta
Opulent Tiger Moth
Arctia opulenta is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Henry Edwards in 1881. It is a small, diurnal species restricted to high-latitude tundra habitats across northern North America. The species is notable for its Arctic-alpine distribution and specialized larval diet on willow species.
Argyresthia pygmaeella
Sallow Argent
A small microlepidopteran moth in the family Argyresthiidae, first described from Vienna, Austria in 1775. Adults are active from May to August with a single annual generation. The species is associated with willows, where larvae mine leaf-buds and shoots. It has a broad distribution across Europe, northern Asia, and North America.
Aristotelia fungivorella
Aristotelia fungivorella is a small gelechiid moth described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1864. The species has a broad distribution across North America, ranging from Ontario west to British Columbia and south to California, Mississippi, and Alabama. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 11 mm. The larvae develop within galls on willow species Salix cordata and Salix exigua, suggesting a specialized relationship with these host plants.
Catocala faustina
Faustina Underwing
Catocala faustina is a western North American underwing moth in the family Erebidae. Adults are medium-sized with a wingspan of approximately 58 mm. The species exhibits the characteristic underwing morphology: cryptic, bark-patterned forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings when at rest. Adults are active in late summer and autumn, with flight records from September to October. The larvae feed exclusively on willow species (Salix).
Catocala junctura
joined underwing, Stretch's underwing
Catocala junctura is a large underwing moth in the family Erebidae, distributed across temperate North America from the eastern United States through the Great Plains to the Southwest and Pacific Coast. Adults are active from June to September and possess the characteristic underwing morphology: cryptic forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings. The species is associated with riparian habitats where its larval host plants, willows and cottonwoods, grow abundantly.
Chionodes abitus
Chionodes abitus is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Hodges in 1999. It occurs in western North America from California north to British Columbia and Saskatchewan. The species is associated with willow (Salix) hosts.
Chrysomela knabi
Knab's Leaf Beetle
Chrysomela knabi is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Brown in 1956. It is a willow-feeding specialist found in North America, with two recognized subspecies: C. k. knabi and C. k. hesperia. The species has been studied for its larval performance and adult fitness in relation to host plant quality and moisture content.
Chrysomela mainensis
Maine Leaf Beetle
Chrysomela mainensis is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Bechyné in 1954. The species is found in North America, with observations recorded primarily from the northern United States and Canada. It belongs to a genus of leaf beetles that are typically associated with willow hosts. Three subspecies have been described: C. m. mainensis, C. m. interna, and C. m. littorea.
Chrysomela mainensis interna
Chrysomela mainensis interna is a subspecies of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by W.J. Brown in 1956. It belongs to the genus Chrysomela, a group of willow-feeding leaf beetles. The subspecies is part of the North American fauna of Chrysomela, which includes several closely related taxa with specialized host plant associations.
Colobochyla interpuncta
Yellow-lined Owlet, Swamp Belle
Colobochyla interpuncta, known as the yellow-lined owlet or swamp belle, is a small erebid moth found in North American wetlands. Adults have a wingspan of 20–24 mm and are active from April through September, with multiple generations per year in southern portions of its range. The species was first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1872. Larvae are known to feed on willow (Salix).
Digrammia subminiata
Vermilion Granite Moth, vermillion granite, dark-waved angle
A small geometrid moth of western North America, first described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1873. Adults are active in late spring and summer. The species is associated with willow hosts.
Disonycha alternata
Striped Willow Leaf Beetle
Disonycha alternata, commonly known as the striped willow leaf beetle, is a flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is distributed across North America, with records from Canada and the United States. As a member of the genus Disonycha, it is associated with willow (Salix) host plants.
Epinotia cruciana
willow tortrix, Willow Tortrix Moth
Epinotia cruciana, commonly known as the willow tortrix, is a small tortricid moth with a wingspan of 12–15 mm. The species is distinguished by its characteristic wing pattern featuring pale brown ground color with dark brown markings on the forewings that form a cross-like shape, referenced in its specific epithet "cruciana". It has a broad distribution spanning Europe, Asia, and North America. The larvae are specialized feeders on willows and sallows, particularly Salix repens.
Eupithecia perfusca
Pug moth
Eupithecia perfusca is a small moth in the family Geometridae, first described by George Duryea Hulst in 1898. It is found in western North America. The species has a wingspan of approximately 21 mm. Larvae feed on Salix (willow), Alnus (alder), and Betula (birch) species. Adults have been observed visiting apple flowers, suggesting a role in nocturnal pollination.
Eupithecia sharronata
Eupithecia sharronata is a small moth in the family Geometridae, described by Bolte in 1990. It is known from multiple Canadian provinces and has been documented as a nocturnal visitor to apple flowers, contributing to pollination. The species belongs to the diverse 'pug' genus Eupithecia, whose members are recognized by their narrow wings and characteristic resting posture.
Furcula occidentalis
Western Furcula Moth, Double-lined Furcula, Willow Kitten
Furcula occidentalis is a notodontid moth known by several common names including western furcula moth, double-lined furcula, and willow kitten. The species exhibits a broad transcontinental distribution across North America, from the Yukon to the Atlantic coast. Adults are active from spring through summer with one to two generations annually. The larvae feed primarily on willow (Salix) species and occasionally on poplar (Populus), giving rise to the 'willow kitten' common name.
Gypsonoma salicicolana
Small Gypsonoma Moth
Gypsonoma salicicolana is a small tortricid moth occurring across much of North America. The species is a specialist on willows (Salix), with larvae feeding on leaves of several documented host species. Adults are active primarily in late spring and early summer. The specific epithet 'salicicolana' reflects this association with Salix.
Hedya salicella
White-backed Marble
Hedya salicella is a small tortricid moth commonly known as the White-backed Marble. It is a single-brooded species with adults active from June through September. The species is widely distributed across Europe and has been introduced to North America. Its larvae are specialized feeders on willow and poplar species.
Hydriomena macdunnoughi
Hydriomena macdunnoughi is a small geometrid moth described by Louis W. Swett in 1918. It occurs in western North America from Yukon Territory through western Alberta to Colorado. The species has a wingspan of 14–16 mm and exhibits distinctive grey forewings with a dark central band and pale hindwings with brown wavy lines. Adults are active from spring through mid-summer, and larvae feed on willow species.
Limenitis archippus watsoni
Watson's Gulf Coast Viceroy
Limenitis archippus watsoni is a subspecies of the viceroy butterfly found in central North America. It is part of the well-known mimicry complex with the monarch butterfly, though recent research suggests viceroys may also be unpalatable to predators. This subspecies is distinguished from other viceroy populations by geographic range and subtle morphological differences.
Macaria loricaria
False Bruce spanworm, Eversmann's peacock
Macaria loricaria is a geometrid moth with pronounced sexual dimorphism: males are fully winged with a wingspan of 25–29 mm, while females are wingless. The species has a broad transcontinental distribution spanning northern Eurasia from Fennoscandia to Sakhalin, and North America from Alaska to Newfoundland and south to Colorado. Adults are active in mid-summer, with timing varying by region. The larvae feed on willow, birch, and aspen species.
Nycteola
Nycteoline moths
Nycteola is a genus of small moths in the family Nolidae, distributed across the Old World and New World. The genus is characterized by rectangular forewings, trifine venation, and distinctive male genitalia. Larvae feed primarily on woody plants in Fagaceae and Salicaceae, with some species considered potential forest pests. Adults of at least some species overwinter and show highly variable wing coloration and pattern.
Oedemasia salicis
Western Red-Humped Caterpillar Moth
Oedemasia salicis is a species of prominent moth in the family Notodontidae. The common name refers to the distinctive red hump on its caterpillar. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. The species is associated with willow and poplar host plants.
Parastichtis suspecta
Suspected, Suspected Moth
Parastichtis suspecta, commonly known as the suspected or suspected moth, is a noctuid moth with broad distribution across the Palearctic and North America. Adults are highly variable in coloration, ranging from pale grey to rich reddish-brown or nearly black forms. The species has a single annual generation in Europe, with adults active in late summer. Larvae are specialized feeders on willow species, with a distinctive life cycle involving overwintering as eggs and pupation underground.
Phratora americana
Phratora americana is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is native to North America, with records from Ontario, Quebec, and high elevations in the eastern United States. The species feeds on willow species (Salix) and exhibits variable coloration ranging from purple to blue or blue-green. Two subspecies are recognized: Phratora americana americana and Phratora americana canadensis.
Phyllonorycter salicifoliella
aspen blotch miner
Phyllonorycter salicifoliella is a North American micro-moth in the family Gracillariidae, commonly known as the aspen blotch miner. Adults are small with forewings 3–4 mm in length. The species is notable for its larval leaf-mining behavior on willows and poplars, with larvae feeding internally within leaf tissue. It exhibits two generations per year in most of its range, with adult activity peaking in summer and again in late summer through autumn.
Plagiodera arizonae
Plagiodera arizonae is a leaf beetle species in the tribe Chrysomelini, endemic to Arizona. The species exhibits distinctive coloration with black elytra contrasting against a red head and legs. It belongs to a genus of leaf beetles associated with willow and poplar hosts.
Rheumaptera undulata
scallop shell
Rheumaptera undulata, commonly known as the scallop shell, is a geometrid moth with a wingspan of 25–30 mm. The species is characterized by pale forewings with numerous darker, wavy, evenly spaced crosslines and a scalloped fringe on the outer margin. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 and occurs across the Palearctic realm and North America. Adults are active from late May to August in Europe, with one generation per year. The larvae feed on a diverse range of woody plants including birch, willow, Vaccinium species, aspen, and others.