Subfamily Ennominae
 
|
Tulip-Tree Beauty (Epimecis hortaria)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on the leaves of poplars, sassafras, pawpaw, and tulip-trees.
|
Wingspan:
|
1 7/10 - 2 1/5 in. (4.3 - 5.5 cm)
|
Season:
|
Late March - early October
|
Description:
|
The wings are usually a powdery whitish color with black zigzag lines, but the pattern may vary. Wings are broad, and hindwings are scalloped around the outer margin.
|
|
Variable Antepione (Antepione thisoaria)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on the leaves of a variety of plants, including maple, persimmon, sumac, and apple trees.
|
Wingspan:
|
1 1/10 - 1 3/5 in. (2.7 - 4.0 cm)
|
Season:
|
April - October
|
Description:
|
This moth varies in color and pattern both seasonally and between sexes. To identify this species, look for the dark, triangular-shaped patch located near the tips of the forewings. Usually, some dark accents (often two spots) are positioned at the inner margin of the wing on the postmedial line. Wings vary in color from light brown to bright yellow, depending on the season.
|
 
|
 
|
Deep Yellow Euchlaena (Euchlaena amoenaria)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Unrecorded.
|
Wingspan:
|
1 1/5 - 2 in. (3.0 - 4.9 cm)
|
Season:
|
April - September
|
Description:
|
Wings are straw yellow to orangish-yellow with a reddish-brown to blackish band. The area beyond the postmedial line is grayish-brown in spring specimens to rusty brown in summer specimens (middle photo). A characteristic pale yellow patch is located at the tips of the wings.
|
.jpg)  
|
Curve-toothed Geometer (Eutrapela clemataria)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on the leaves of ash, basswood, birches, elms, maples, willows, and other trees.
|
Wingspan:
|
1 1/2 - 2 1/5 in. (3.8 - 5.6 cm)
|
Season:
|
March - August
|
Description:
|
Brownish-gray wings are mottled brown on yellowish-tan. The thin postmedial line is mostly straight, turning sharply back toward the costa. The wing tips curve inward, and the margins of the wings are gently scalloped. Females are larger than males.
|
 
|
Large Maple Spanworm Moth (Prochoerodes lineola (=transversata))
|
 
|
Juniper Geometer (Patalene olyzonaria)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on junipers and possibly on pines.
|
Wingspan:
|
greater than 5/6 in. ( 2.1 cm)
|
Season:
|
April - November
|
Description:
|
A well-defined postmedial line, which hooks back toward the leading edges of the wings, is the most prominent marking on the orangish to reddish-brown forewings. The forewings of females are sharply hooked at the tips (right photo); those of males are somewhat hooked.
|
 
|
The Small Engrailed (Ectropis crepuscularia)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on leaves of apple, birch, elm, maple, oak, willow and other trees.
|
Wingspan:
|
1 - 1 1/2 in. (2.6 - 3.7 cm)
|
Season:
|
March - September
|
Description:
|
Soft brownish-gray to powdery whitish-gray wings with darker gray to blackish toothed lines, often obscure. Two distinctive, sharp blackish wedges are located on the middle portion of the forewing. Two color morphs are shown above.
|
 25 july fg.jpg "porcelain_gray")
|
Porcelain Gray (Protoboarmia porcelaria)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on the leaves of a variety of trees, including oaks, birches, pines, and poplars.
|
Wingspan:
|
1 - 1 2/5 in. (2.5 - 3.5 cm)
|
Season:
|
May - September
|
Description:
|
Blackish-brown lines curve toward the leading edges of the forewings on a background of white, speckled with brown. The postmedial line is typically darkest at the veins, where it forms characteristic triangular-shaped markings that point toward the outer margins of the wings. Notice also the zigzag, white stationary line located below the postmedial line.
|
 
|
Canadian Melanolophia (Melanolophia canadaria)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on the leaves of birches, elms, maples, oaks, pines, and trees of the genus Prunus.
|
Wingspan:
|
1 1/10 - 1 2/5 in. (2.8 - 3.6 cm)
|
Season:
|
March - September
|
Description:
|
The upper surface of the wings is whitish and is speckled and mottled with brown; grayer in northern specimens. Lines are distinct when present but may be reduced to absent. Subspecies M. canadaria choctawae occurs along the coast from Maryland to Texas and tends to be larger and darker than the subspecies M. canadaria crama, which can be collected from roughly New Jersey to northern Illinois and Tennessee.
|
 
|
Umber Moth (Hypomecis umbrosaria)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on the leaves of birches and oaks.
|
Wingspan:
|
1 - 1 9/16 in. (2.6 - 4.0 cm)
|
Season:
|
April - August
|
Description:
|
Scalloped antemedial, postmedial, and stationary lines cross the gray background of the wings. Other wing markings include hollow, oval discal spots.
|
  
|
One-spotted Variant (Hypagyrtis unipunctata)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on the leaves of birches, hickories, oaks, pines, willows, and other trees.
|
Wingspan:
|
4/5 - 1 9/10 in. (2.0 - 4.7 cm)
|
Season:
|
April - September
|
Description:
|
Wings of both sexes are yellowish-tan to orangish and are mottled with white, brown, and black. Forewings have a pale spot near the leading edge, and the lines and discal spots on all wings are black. The hindwings are scalloped.
|
   
|
Esther Moth (Hypagyrtis esther)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on pines
|
Wingspan:
|
1 - 1 3/4 in. (2.5 - 4.5 cm)
|
Season:
|
May - October
|
Description:
|
The coloration of this species is similar to the One-spotted Variant (Hypagyrtis unipunctata) mentioned above. The forewings of this species are not mottled, however, but are solid violet-gray with a band of reddish-brown shading located at the outer edges of the wings. Forewings have a pale, oval-shaped spot near the apex. The hindwings are scalloped.
|
  
|
Oak Besma (Besma quercivoraria)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on the leaves of oak, elm, poplar, and willow trees.
|
Wingspan:
|
1 1/10 - 1 3/5 in. (2.7 - 4.1 cm)
|
Season:
|
April - September
|
Description:
|
Oak Besma moths are variable and differ between the sexes. The background of the wings is straw yellow and is powdered with pale brown. Veins are also pale brown. A well-defined, black discal dot is present on the forewings. Frequently, a short crossbar near the inner margin of the wing connects the orangish-brown antemedial and postmedial lines; the postmedial line continues onto the hindwing.
|
 
|
Dogwood Probole (Probole nyssaria)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on the leaves of dogwoods.
|
Wingspan:
|
1 - 1 3/8 in. (2.6 - 3.5 cm)
|
Season:
|
March - August
|
Description:
|
The background of the wings of spring broods (left photo) is white, dusted with brown, often forming a brownish area in the center of the forewings. The dark postmedial line is strongly toothed and is indented from the leading edge of the wing to the toothed area. Beyond the postmedial line, the forewing is shaded more heavily in brown. Summer broods (right photo) have a purplish band located at the middle of the forewing and purplish-red shading beyond the postmedial line.
|
|
Yellow Slant-line (Tetracis crocallata)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on the leaves of alders, chestnuts, sumac, and willows.
|
Wingspan:
|
1 - 1 3/4 in. (2.5 - 4.5 cm)
|
Season:
|
March - August
|
Description:
|
The pale orangish-yellow to yellow wings are often dusted with brown and have black discal dots. A broad, brown postmedial line crosses the forewings from the apex to the inner margin of the wings. In the summer brood, this line continues onto the hindwing.
|
.jpg "Eusarca_confusaria") 
 
|
Confused Eusarca (Eusarca confusaria)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on clover, dandelions, asters, goldenrod, and other plants with composite flowers.
|
Wingspan:
|
1 1/6 - 1 3/5 in. (2.9 - 4.1 cm)
|
Season:
|
April - October
|
Description:
|
The yellowish-tan wings are sometimes dusted with grayish-brown, although some specimens may be mostly brown. The thin, brown postmedial line fades or hooks inward near the tips of the forewings. Notice the small, black discal dots located on the forewings and the hindwings.
|
|
Lychnosea Moth (Lychnosea intermicata)
|
   
|
Thin-lined Erastria (Erastria cruentaria)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on blackberry plants.
|
Wingspan:
|
1 1/10 - 1 1/2 in. (2.7 - 3.7 cm)
|
Season:
|
March - September
|
Description:
|
The wings of spring specimens are dull gray to brown, and straw yellow to olive-colored in summer specimens. Antemedial and median lines complete or incomplete; postmedial line complete and sharply defined. The apex of the forewing is somewhat recurved.
|
Black-dotted Ruddy (Thysanopyga intractata)
Southern Pine Looper Moth (Caripeta aretaria)
Photograph courtesy of Cindy Thornton.
|
Honest Pero (Pero honestaria)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on leaves of black locust and wild cherry.
|
Wingspan:
|
1 3/10 - 1 2/5 in. (3.4 - 3.6 cm)
|
Season:
|
March - September
|
Description:
|
The outer edges of the wings are scalloped, and the sharply defined, curving postmedial line separates areas of dark and light coloration. Males are commonly blackish-gray, and females are brown with no mottling.
|
 
 
Bottom, left image courtesy of Sarah Lingwall, Polk County, Florida.
|
Brown-shaded Gray (Iridopsis (Anacamptodes) defectaria)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on the leaves of poplars, oaks, and willows.
|
Wingspan:
|
1 - 1 2/5 in. (2.4 - 3.6 cm)
|
Season:
|
January - November
|
Description:
|
Orangish-brown shading and varying amounts of gray mottling decorate the whitish background of the wings. The black antemedial and postmedial lines are distinct. Notice the scalloping of the postmedial line between the bulge and the leading edge of the forewing.
|
 30 july fg.jpg)
Large Purplish Gray (Iridopsis (Anacamptodes) vellivolata)
|
Promiscuous Angle (Macaria (Semiothisa) promiscuata)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Unrecorded.
|
Wingspan:
|
1 - 1 1/10 in. (2.4 - 2.8 cm)
|
Season:
|
April - September
|
Description:
|
The outer edges of the pale-colored wings are edged with tan. Note the deep, brown-lined notch located below the apex of the forewings and the large, black spot located at the middle of the postmedial line. This spot is crossed horizontally by the tan postmedial line and vertically by the tan veins.
|
|
Orange Wing (Mellilla xanthometata)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on the leaves of locust trees.
|
Wingspan:
|
2/3 - 5/6 in. (1.6 - 2.1 cm)
|
Season:
|
April - October
|
Description:
|
Somewhat straight lines and a black stationary spot mark the brownish to grayish forewings. The common name of this moth refers to its distinctive bright orange hindwings.
|
Spring Cankerworm Moth (Paleacrita vernata)
White-tipped Black (Melanchroia chephise)
Images courtesy of Jane Dunn.
  
|
White Spring Moth (Lomographa vestaliata)
|
 
|
Fervid Plagodis (Plagodis fervidaria)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on the leaves of maples, oaks, birches, ashes, sour cherry, and spruce.
|
Wingspan:
|
9/10 - 1 1/4 in. (2.3 - 3.1 cm)
|
Season:
|
April - September
|
Description:
|
A straight, broad postmedial line crosses the yellowish wings. The forewings of summer broods are heavily shaded with gray. The wings of spring broods are decorated by indistinct, vertical brown streaks.
|
Subfamily Geometrinae
 
|
Showy Emerald (Dichorda iridaria)
|
Primary Food Plants:
|
Caterpillars feed on staghorn and winged sumac.
|
Wingspan:
|
4/5 - 1 1/5 in. (2.0 - 3.0 cm)
|
Season:
|
April - August
|
Description:
|
Body and wing color varies from pale to deep green. Wings have wide, straight, white lines and black distal dots.
|
   
|
Red-Bordered Emerald (Nemoria lixaria)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Caterpillars feed on the leaves of red oaks.
|
Wingspan:
|
4/5 - 1 1/5 in. (2.0 - 3.0 cm)
|
Season:
|
March - June; all year in deep South
|
Description:
|
Wings are green with a pair of jagged white lines, and red lines extend around the margins. The fringe on the edges of the wings is checkered red and white, and the green abdomen has white spots ringed with red. Melanic specimens are brownish green and have dark brown lines and fringe.
|
|
White-fringed Emerald (Nemoria mimosaria)
|
Description:
|
Concave, white antemedial and postmedial lines cross the greenish- colored wings. The wings are fringed with white and lack the red terminal line seen in some of the other emerald species. Also, notice the white dot on the first abdominal segment, followed by a green segment, then segments with white coloration, which is characteristic of this species of emerald.
|
 
 
|
Red-fringed Emerald (Nemoria bistriaria) - brown spring forms shown above green summer forms
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on the leaves of white oaks.
|
Wingspan:
|
about 2.2 cm (about 9/10 in.)
|
Season:
|
March - October
|
Description:
|
The wings of summer broods are green with white antemedial and postmedial lines. Spring forms are usually brown in coloration. The white circles ringed with brown located on the abdomen are characteristic of this species. Note also the red terminal line and pink and white checkered fringes.
|
 
|
Southern Emerald (Synchlora frondaria)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on the leaves of a variety of plants, including blackberries and chrysanthemums.
|
Wingspan:
|
Less than 1 in. (2.5 cm)
|
Season:
|
March - October
|
Description:
|
Notice the jagged, white postmedial line, which crosses the pale green wings, and the white stripe located on the green abdomen of this moth.
|
|
Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on a variety of plants, including coreopsis, coneflowers, asters, ragweeds, and raspberry fruits.
|
Wingspan:
|
1/2 - 1 in. (1.3 - 2.4 cm)
|
Season:
|
May - October
|
Description:
|
Slightly toothed, white lines curve outward across the pale green forewings and continue onto hindwings of the same color. Note also the white stripe located on the green abdomen.
|
  
|
Blackberry Looper Moth (Chlorochlamys chloroluecaria)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae (Blackberry Loopers) feed on blackberry fruits, the petals of various composite flowers, coneflowers, sunflowers, and ox-eye daisies.
|
Wingspan:
|
3/5 - 9/10 in. (1.4 - 2.3 cm)
|
Season:
|
April - November
|
Description:
|
Grayish-green wings fade to yellowish. The leading edge of the wings and the antemedial and the straight postmedial lines are cream-colored. Males have bipectinate (feather-like) antennae.
|
Subfamily Larentiinae
 
|
The Bad-Wing (Dyspteris abortivaria)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on grapes.
|
Wingspan:
|
4/5 - 1 1/10 in. (2.0 - 2.8 cm)
|
Season:
|
March - August
|
Description:
|
The wings are pale bluish-green with white lines and discal spots. Hindwings are much smaller than the forewings.
|
|
The Beggar (Eubaphe mendica)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on the leaves of maples and violets.
|
Wingspan:
|
5/6 - 1 1/5 in. (2.1 - 3.0 cm)
|
Season:
|
April - September
|
Description:
|
Two, irregular lines of fused, bluish-gray spots cross the translucent, pale yellow forewings. A single, bluish-gray spot is located at the center of the forewings along the outer margin.
|
  
|
Somber Carpet (Disclisioprocta stellata)
|
|
Ferguson's Scallop Shell (Rheumaptera prunivorata)
Image courtesy of Jane Dunn.
|
|
Brown Bark Carpet (Horisme intestinata)
|
 
 
|
Bent-line Carpet (Costaconvexa (Orthonama) centrostrigaria)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on the leaves of low-growing plants, including smartweed and knotweed.
|
Wingspan:
|
7/10 - 9/10 in. (1.7 - 2.3 cm)
|
Season:
|
March - November
|
Description:
|
The background of the wings is pale gray with several fine, broken, dotted, or scalloped lines. The middle area of the forewings of males is defined by a wide, black antemedial line and curved upper half of the postmedial line; the lower half is absent (pictured bottom, right). Small, black discal dots are present on forewings and hindwings.
|
 24feb06 fg.jpg)  
|
The Gem (Orthonama obstipata)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on the leaves of a wide variety of plants, including elms, ragworts, and chrysanthemums.
|
Wingspan:
|
3/5 - 7/8 in. (1.5 - 2.2 cm)
|
Season:
|
March - October
|
Description:
|
Adult males are pale brown with a darker band of color across the center of the wings (left photo). The more darkly colored females may be distinguished from males by the presence of a small, black discal dot encircled by white located within the darker band on the forewings (middle and right photos).
|
Common Epithecia (Epithecia miserulata)
Subfamily Sterrhinae
.jpg)  .jpg)
|
Large Lace-Border (Scopula limboundata)
|
Primary food plants:
|
Larvae feed on the leaves of a variety of plants, including apple trees, blueberries, clovers, dandelions, wild cherry trees.
|
Wingspan:
|
4/5 - 1 1/5 in. (2.0 - 3.0 cm)
|
Season:
|
May - September
|
Description:
|
Yellowish to tan lines, the postmedial line being the most noticeable, decorate the cream to yellowish wings. In the typical form, there is much black shading located beyond the postmedial line (seen above, left photo). Black shading on other forms is reduced to absent.
|
Cross's Wave Moth (Leptostales crossii)
Packard's Wave Moth (Cyclophora packardi)
Red-bordered Wave (Idaea demissaria)
 
|
Wave Moth (Idaea furciferata)
|
|
Diminutive Wave Moth (Idaea scintillularia)
|
.jpg)
Stained Lophosis Moth (Lophosis labeculata)
Moths of Arkansas Homepage
Nature Trivia Homepage
Biology Homepage