Click on the family names below for
a page of thumbnail photos of those species found at Fermilab.
The
thumbnail photo is in turn linked to more information about the
species.
In several cases, the moth is only identified to the family or genus
level.
The Hodges checklist number is included with the species information
for
reference and sequencing the list within the family.
Moth families | Comments | |
Sphinx moths (Sphingidae) | Medium sized to large, with the larger sphinx moths resembling hummingbirds when flying and hovering at flowers. Some fly by day and resemble bumblebees. Caterpillars are generally large, hairless, green or tan, with a "horn" on their rear end, such as the common tomato hornworm. Day-fliers include the bumblebee mimic, Hummingbird Clearwing. | |
Giant silk moths (Saturniidae) | Medium sized to large, including some of our largest and most spectacular moths. They do not feed as adults, living only a few days or a week. Giant Silk moths are attracted to lights and may sometimes be found on our buildings in early summer. | |
Tiger moths (Arctiidae) | Medium sized, often colorful moths. Caterpillars are often very furry, such as the banded wooly bear which may often be seen in the autumn. Day-fliers include haploa moths such as shown on the left and ctenucha moths. | |
Owlet moths (Noctuidae) | This is a large group of moths, including many ordinary looking small brown and gray moths, but also including some brightly colored day flying moths. Day-fliers include the Eight-spotted Forester Moth. | |
Prominents (Notodontidae) | Stout-bodied medium sized moths. | |
Tussock Moths (Lymantriidae) | Small to medium sized
brown and gray moths. The caterpillars are generally furry with
tufts of hair and may be very numerous. The Gypsy Moth, a
destructive non-native species from Europe, is in this family. |
|
Lappet moths (Lasiocampidae) | Medium sized, furry bodied
moths. |
|
Geometer moths (Geometridae) | Named for the"measuring worm" or "inchworm" caterpillars, this is a large family of moths, some of which are brightly colored, fly by day, and resemble butterflies. Day-fliers include the very common, small, orange Chickweed Moth and some of the white geometer moths, which resemble Cabbage White butterflies in flight. | |
Pyralid moths (Pyralidae) | Small moths | |
Leaf roller or bell moths (Tortricidae) | Small moths | |
Ermine moths (Yponomeutidae) | Very small moths with narrow wings wrapped around their bodies when at rest, but some are very colorful. Day-fliers include the Ailanthus webworm moth. | |
Carpenter
and Leopard Moths (Cossidae) |
Mostly rather large, heavy-bodied moths |
Footnotes and more information:
2. Unless otherwise noted, all photographs linked to this page were taken by Tom Peterson. See photo notes for more information about the photography.
3.
Moth
identifications based on Moth
Photographers website , "A Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North
America,"
by Charles V. Covell, Jr., 2005 edition, and "The Moth Book, A Guide to
the Moths of North America,", by W.J. Holland, 1968 edition.