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Moths
(Lepidoptera
order,
infraclass Neoptera, subclass
Pterygota, class Insecta, subphylum Hexapoda, phylum Arthropoda, kingdom
Animalia, domain Eukarya)
It's easy to see what butterflies have in common,
but the differences among moths stand out. Some are diurnal, some
nocturnal. Some adult moths visit flowers, others don't eat at all.
Many, but not all, have feathery ("plumose") antennae, but this isn't always
obvious. Their wingspreads range from several inches to a few
millimeters. But according to latest research in the field, the diversity
among moths relative to those among butterflies are even greater than once
imagined. Some moths (most notably the Geometer Moths, but to a slightly
lesser degree the Giant Silkworm Moths and the Sphinx Moths), are much more
closely related to butterflies than they are to the members of most other moth
species. At the polar extreme from butterflies (at least for species on
this page) according to these
discoveries are the Ermine Moths and relatives in the Yponomeutoidea superfamily,
of which the Ailanthus Webworm Moth is probably the most familiar member.
Classifications are based on the
Tree of Life Web Project and the pages it points to. Some of the
higher taxa (above "superfamily") have not been given such classifications on
the TOL site. The English common names of higher taxa on this page reflect
theirs, though not exactly.
Most of the moths below were photographed during
the day; exceptions are noted.
Geometer Moths
(Geometridae family,
Geometroidea superfamily, Macrolepidoptera, Obtectomera, Apoditrysia, Ditrysia)
Inchworm caterpillars are found in this family and in the
Noctuidae family.
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| False Crocus Geometer Moth
(Xanthotype
urticaria), Durham, 7/12/05.
This moth had a 2-inch wingspread and showed up in a wooded area during
the day. |
Possibly a
Bent-line Gray (Iridopsis larvaria,
subfamily Ennominae, tribe Boarmiini), Durham, 4/14/06. Seen
at night. Genus and species ID according to
Moth Photographers Group, Plate 32b. Subfamily and tribe ID
according to
Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
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| White-striped Black Moth (Trichodezia
albovittata, subfamily Larentiinae), Asheville, NC, 7/7/05. This moth species was common in
Asheville and abundant at the Mount Mitchell, NC, summit.
Kit Muma of Ithaca College is studying this
moth. |
A member of a similar species, Moses Cone Memorial
Park, Watauga County, NC, 8/31/05. |
Bad-wing
(Dyspteria abortaria), Asheville, 7/9/05.
Although relatively innocuous in life, these moths frustrate people who
try to mount them with their uncooperative hind wings (poetic justice, I
think!)
This moth appeared in a shrubby area in back of a motel. |
Pale Beauty
(Campaea perlata), Falling Creek Camp, near Tuxedo, NC,
5/25/03. |
Three-spotted Fillip (Heterophleps triguttaria), Durham, 7/15/05 |
Lesser Maple Spanworm Moth (Macaria
pustularia), Durham, 6/5/05. |
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| Tulip Tree Beauty
(Epecimus hortaria),
Durham, 8/4/05. This moth appeared on my
deck at night. |
Another
Tulip Tree Beauty demonstrating great
camouflage in a more natural
setting, Penny's Bend Nature Reserve, Durham County, NC, 8/23/05. |
Tulip Tree Beauty,
Johnston Mill Nature
Preserve, Orange County, NC, 7/15/06. Camouflage was not so
perfect here. |
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| Eno River SP, Old Cole Mill Road access, 6/23/05 |
Eno River State Park, Fews Ford Access, 4/7/05 |
Geometrid moth maybe, Durham, NC, 11/10/06 |
Owlet Moth/Cutworm Moth
(Noctuidae
family, Noctuoidea superfamily, Macrolepidoptera, Obtectomera, Apoditrysia, Ditrysia)
There is some controversy about whether Noctuidae, or some
of them, are in the Erebidae family. However, the
Integrated Taxonomic Information System does not recognize the
Erebidae taxon.
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| Lunate Zale Moth (Zale lunata, subfamily
Catocalinae, family Noctuidae) Durham, 7/26/05. The wingspread was about 2 inches.
Photographed at night. |
Lunate Zale Moth, Durham, 8/2/05.
Photographed at night. |
Decorated Owlet Moth (Pangrapta decoralis), Durham, 6/10/05. |
Possibly an Owlet Moth, Durham, 4/14/06.
Photographed at night. |
Mottled Bomolocha Moth
(Hypena Palparia, Hypeninae subfamily), Durham, 4/14/06. Photographed
at night. ID thanks to J.D. Roberts. |
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| Black-bordered Lemon Moth (Thioptera
nigrofimbria) Durham, 7/20/05. You can see the legs at right if you look
closely. |
Possibly an Owlet Moth, Durham, 8/4/05. Photographed at night. |
Owlet Moth? Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange
County, NC, 7/15/06 |
Maple Looper Moth
(Parallelia bistriaris,
subfamily Catocalinae), Eno River State Park, Few's Ford access, Cox Mountain,
Orange County, NC, 4/12/06 |
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| Beautiful Wood Nymph
(Eudryas grata,
subfamily Agarastinae), Durham, 8/11/06. Taken at
night. ID thanks to
Bob Moul, confirmed by
Marshall (2006), p. 220. |
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| Possibly a Catolcalinae subfamily member, Durham,
10/13/03 |
Large Maple Spanworm (Procherodes
transversata), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, 9/8/05 |
Same kind as moth on left. Eno River SP, Old Cole Mill Road access, 9/16/05. |
Velvetbean Caterpillar Moth
(Anticarsia gemmatalis,
Catolcalinae subfamily), Durham, 10/24/05 |
Velvetbean Caterpillar Moth
(Anticarsia gemmatalis), Durham, 10/1/05. ID
according to
the USGS Moths of North America.
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Tobacco Budworm Moth (Heliothis virescens, Heliothinae subfamily),
Durham, 9/6/05. ID based on
BugGuide. |
Noctuid moth,
possibly Heliothis genus, Durham, NC, 5/24/07 |
Corn Earworm (Helicoverpa
zea, subfamily Heliothinae). Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover
County, NC, 9/16/07 |
Noctuid Moth, Heliothis genus,
NC Botanical Garden, 9/2/04 |
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False
Underwing
(Allotria elonympha), NC Arboretum, Asheville, NC, 7/8/05.
ID thanks to J.D. Roberts. |
Sunira cf.
bicolorago, Xylenini tribe, Hadeninae subfamily, Durham, 11/2/05.
ID thanks to J.D. Roberts. |
Clover Looper Moth (Caenurgina crassiuscula,
Catocalinae subfamily)
Little Scaly Mountain, 8/11/05. ID thanks to J.D. Roberts. |
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Prominent Moth
(Notodontidae family,
Noctuoidea superfamily, Macrolepidoptera, Obtectomera, Apoditrysia, Ditrysia)
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| This Heterocampa genus caterpillar seemed to be trying to
turn into a pupa at Little Scaly Mountain, Macon County, NC on 8/8/05. |
Later on, it apparently changed its mind and began
crawling around. Thanks to Josh Rose for ID. |
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Yellow-necked Caterpillar
(Datana ministra), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover
County, NC, 9/18/07 |
Yellow-necked Caterpillar
moth, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC,
7/14/07. |
Tussock Moths
(family Lymantriidae, superfamily
Noctuoidea, Macrolepidoptera, Obtectomera, Apoditrysia, Ditrysia)
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| White-Marked Tussock Moth
(Orgiya leucostigma) caterpillar, Durham, NC, 9/17/06 |
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| Banded Tussock Moth
(Halysidota tessellaris) caterpillar,
Eno
River State Park, Orange County, NC 8/5/06.
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Banded Tussock Moth caterpillar, Penny's Bend, Durham County, NC, 8/23/05 |
Tiger Moths
(family Arctiidae, superfamily
Noctuoidea, Macrolepidoptera, Obtectomera, Apoditrysia, Ditrysia)
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| Lichen Moth
(Lycomorpha pholus,
subfamily Lithosiinae), NC Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 5/24/06 |
Yellow-collared Scape Moth (Cisseps
fulvucollis, tribe Ctenuchini, subfamily Arctiinae),
Durham,
10/24/05. |
Pale Tussock Moth
(Halisidota
tessellarus, tribe Phaegopterini, subfamily Arctiinae), 8/4/06 |
Harnessed Tiger Moth
(Apantesis phalerata),
Durham, NC, 5/13/07. Taken at night. |
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| Orange Holomelina (Holomelina aurantiaca,
Arctiini tribe, Arctiinae subfamily), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC,
6/30/06. ID based on
BugGuide and Marshall (2006), p. 214. |
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| Maybe a
Milkweed Tiger Moth (Euchaetias egle), Durham, 5/23/05. I helped this very worn moth off the walking
path in my neighborhood after taking this photo. |
Tiger moth (maybe), Durham, 11/14/05 |
Giant Silkworm Moths and Royal Moths
(Saturniidae family,
Bombycoidea superfamily, Macrolepidoptera, Obtectomera, Apoditrysia, Ditrysia)
They are the biggest and arguably the
showiest members of Lepidoptera, but reproduction is the focus of their short,
relatively uneventful adult
lives: they are not able to eat. They do not include the moth species that
produces commercial silk: it comes from another family, the
Silkworm Moths (family Bombycidae).
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| Luna Moth (Actias luna, tribe
Saturniini, subfamily Saturniinae), Durham, 8/7/07. Taken at
night. |
Luna Moth, Carolina Beach, NC,
8/26/03. It's unusual to see a live Luna in this condition.
I've seen some lying in the middle of the road, all bleached out, whose
wings were in better shape. Maybe those tails are the main
attraction for predators. |
Luna Moth, Durham, 6/2/05. This moth
clung to the door of our house during a heavy rain. It was in mint condition. |
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| Polyphemus Moth
(Antherea polyphemus, tribe
Saturniini, subfamily Saturniinae), NC
Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 5/24/06 |
Tulip-tree Silkmoth
(Callosamia
angulifera, tribe Attacini, subfamily Saturniinae). Durham, 7/9/03. This moth clung to this fence, long
enough for me to run home and grab the camera, instead of using
those big, glorious wings. ID according to
BugGuide. |
Tulip-tree Silkmoth
(Callosamia
angulifera): ventral view of moth on the left. |
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| Oakworm Moth (Anisota genus, subfamily
Ceratocampinae) genus. Path off Blue Ridge Parkway, Macon County, 7/22/03.
At least one species of Oakworm Moth caterpillars are familiar pests, black
caterpillars with thin orange stripes that frequently get underfoot. |
Oakworm Moth
(Anisota virginiensis,
subfamily Ceratocampinae), Indian
Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06 |
Imperial Moth
(Eacles imperialis, subfamily
Ceratocampinae), Durham, 8/4/06. Photo taken at night. |
Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda,
subfamily Ceratocampinae), 7/25/04. This member of the Royal
Moth subfamily also found its way to the tennis court, but did
not revive. Not all Saturniidae are large: this one was only about
an inch long. |
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| Cecropia Moth
caterpillar (Hyalophora cecropia,
tribe Attacini, subfamily Saturniinae).
Taken in Virginia. © 2006 Mick Phillips |
Polyphemus Moth
caterpillar (Anthera polyphemus).
Taken in Virginia. © 2006 Mick Phillips |
Sphinx Moths
(Sphingidae family,
Bombycoidea superfamily, Macrolepidoptera, Obtectomera, Apoditrysia, Ditrysia)
Although many are agricultural pests as
caterpillars, their hummingbird-like behavior as adults is something many people
look forward to seeing. The Clearwings moths (Hemaris genus) were
very common in my area in 2003, but their numbers dropped off greatly after that
and none have shown up in 2006.
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| Nessus Sphinx
(Amphion floridensis).
This moth was about an inch long. |
Mournful Sphinx
(Enyo lugubris), Carolina Beach, 10/19/05. ID thanks to J.D.
Roberts |
Northern Pine Sphinx (Lapara
Bombycoides), Appalachian Trail, Botetourt County, VA, 9/15/04.
This is only one of the many species of caterpillars that feed on pine
needles. |
Tobacco Hornworm (Manduca sexta), Durham, 9/2/04. This is probably
a common sight, wasp cocoons and all, for organic tomato growers.
This caterpillar is a member of the Sphingidae moth family. |
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| Hummingbird Clearwing Moth (Hemaris
thisbe), Durham, 8/3/03. Note the distinctive green thorax and
red-brown abdomen and wings. Note how the flowers show through the
clear parts of the wings. It's in the Sphingidae family. |
Hummingbird Clearwing Moth, Duke
Gardens, Durham County, NC, 9/17/05. |
Snowberry Clearwing Moth (Hemaris
diffinis), Durham, 8/20/03. This moth is in the same genus as the
Hummingbird Clearwing Moth and behaves about the same. Snowberries
are much more common, however. |
Snowberry Clearwing Moths
mating,
Durham, 8/4/03. Like this photo? Order a product with that
picture on it at
our online store.
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Snowberry Clearwing Moth, Durham,
8/28/05. This moth appeared in a swamp in my neighborhood. |
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Walnut Sphinx Moth (Amorpha juglandis),
Durham, NC, 8/30/07. Photo taken at night. |
Pink-spotted Hawk Moth (Agrius cingulatus), Carolina Beach, NC, 9/18/07.
ID thanks to J.D. Roberts. |
Pink-spotted Hawk Moth (Agrius
cingulatus), 9/29/03. |
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Lappet Moths
(including Tent Caterpillars)
(Lasiocampidae
family, Lasiocampoidea superfamily, Macrolepidoptera, Obtectomera, Apoditrysia, Ditrysia)
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| Artace cribaria, Macrophaliinae subfamily, Durham, 10/12/05 |
Picture-winged
Leaf Moths
(Thyrididae family,
Thyridoidea superfamily, Obtectomera, Apoditrysia, Ditrysia)
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| Thyridid moth, Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, 8/24/05 |
Spotted Thyris
(Thyris maculata,
subfamily Thyridinae)
Durham, 6/17/06. Based on
BugGuide. |
Snout Moths
(Pyralidae family,
Pyraloidea superfamily, Obtectomera, Apoditrysia, Ditrysia)
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| Distinguished Colomychus - Hodges #5200 (Colomychus talis), Durham, NC, 7/25/07. Thanks
to
Dennis Profant for ID. |
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| Pyralid moth (Desmia maculalis), Durham, NC, 7/20/07.
Taken at night. ID according to
Covell (2005), p. 286. |
Spotted Beet Webworm Moth
(Hymenia perspectalis), Durham, 10/24/05 |
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| Snout moth, Durham, 6/30/06 |
Snout moth, Durham, 10/5/06. This moth has an
especially big "snout," i.e., palps. |
Crambid Snout Moths
(Crambinae subfamily,
Pyralidae family,
Pyraloidea superfamily, Obtectomera, Apoditrysia, Ditrysia)
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| Celery Webworm
(Nomophila nearctica, subfamily
Pyraustinae), Durham, 4/9/06 |
Crambid snout moth (Urola nivalis, Argyriini tribe,
Crambinae subfamily), Durham, 9/6/05 |
Leafroller
Moths (Tortricidae family,
Torticoidea superfamily, Apoditrysia, Ditrysia)
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| Olethreutinae subfamily, Falls Lake SP, Wake County, NC, 3/1/06 |
Olethreutinae subfamily, Occoneechee Mountain Natural Area, Orange County, NC,
3/13/06 |
Olethreutinae subfamily,
Little Scaly Mountain, Macon County, 8/8/05 |
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| Olethreutes sericorana,
Johnston Mill Nature Preserve,
Orange County, NC, 5/20/06. This was a very tiny moth, maybe
¼ inch long. ID based on
BugGuide's O. sericorana page. |
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| Tortricinae subfamily, Durham, 8/1/06 (night) |
Flannel Moths
(Megalopygidae family,
Zygaenoidea superfamily, Apoditrysia, Ditrysia)
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| This is an example of the infamous
Puss Caterpillar,
the larva of the Black-waved Flannel Moth (Megalopyge crispata) and the
most poisonous caterpillar in the US according to several authorities. It hung out on the bottom of a leaf
at Penny's Bend, Durham County, NC, on 9/10/05.
See
Texas A&M's page for general
information. Thanks to Josh Rose for ID help. |
Another view of the same
Puss Caterpillar. It was
not quite an inch long. Under the cute-looking hairs are poisonous
spines: resist the urge to pet it! (And if you can't, see
WebMD's relevant page for further information and consider
consulting a physician). |
White Flannel Moth
(Norape ovina), caterpillar, Umstead State Park, Wake County, NC, 9/5/04.
Like the Puss Moth caterpillar, this caterpillar is poisonous. |
Saddleback Caterpillars, Slug Caterpillars (Limacodidae Family, Zygaenoidea superfamily, Apoditrysia, Ditrysia)
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| Saddleback Caterpillar
(Acharia stimulea). These have
poisonous spines which cause great pain to the unsuspecting hiker.
Like the Puss Caterpillar, it likes to hide out on the undersides of
leaves. © 2006 Mick Phillips |
Yellow-shouldered Slug Moth
(Lithacodes fasciola, subfamily Lithacodinae), Durham, 7/27/05. Taken at night.
ID based on
BugGuide. |
Burnet Moths
(Zygaenidae family, Zygaenoidea superfamily, Macrolepidoptera, Obtectomera, Apoditrysia, Ditrysia)
Metalmark Moth
(Choreutidae family, Choreutoidea superfamily,
Apoditrysia, Ditrysia)
Clear-winged Moth
(Sesiidae family,
Sesioidea superfamily, Apoditrysia, Ditrysia)
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| Clear-winged
moth (Sesiidae family), maybe Peachtree
Borer |
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Ermine Moth
(Yponomeutidae family,
Yponomeutoidea superfamily, Ditrysia)
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| Ailanthus Webworm
Moth (Atteva punctella), Indian Creek Wildlife Observation Trail,
Chatham County, NC, 10/2/05 |
Ailanthus
Webworm Moth perhaps attempting to
emerge from a cocoon, Occoneechee Mountain, Orange County, NC. Did not have time to investigate its success
in this endeavor. |
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Unidentified Common Moths
All of these moths (except for the second from the left,
which appeared in Durham on 9/6/05, the fourth, which appeared on Little Scaly
Mountain on 8/11/05) showed up in bright daylight in Durham on 9/4/05, and the
fifth, which appeared in the NC Botanical Garden on 9/2/04. Some moths act
very much like butterflies.. The two species below
fluttered their wings almost continuously.
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Durham, 9/6/05 |
Durham, 9/6/05 |
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| Durham, 5/27/05. One of the ordinary moths
everyone sees, though maybe not up close. |
Penny's Bend, Durham County, NC, 4/20/06 |
Little Scaly Mountain, Macon County,
8/10/05 |
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| Durham, 8/1/06 (night) |
Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC,
7/9/06 |
Durham, 8./11/06 |
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| A kind of clearwing moth, Fort Fisher Recreational
Area, New Hanover County, NC, 6/21/07 |
Dare County, NC, 10/6/05. |
Duke Forest, Gate 12, Durham, NC, 9/29/05 |
Unusual and uncommon unidentified moths
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| Durham, 4/15/04. I've seen lots
of tiny moths (some with wingspreads of less than
¼ inch), but this is the smallest one I've
seen that
wasn't dull brown. |
Durham, 9/2/05. Tortricid? |
Pupae
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| Dare County,
10/6/05. |
Dare County, 10/6/05. |
Eno River SP, Fews Ford access, 12/27/05.
The pupa seems to be
hanging out the bottom. |
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