A List of Moths in the West Indies of the Caribbean

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E-mail: font@focusonnature.com
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A List of
Moths
in the West Indies
of the Caribbean

including those during
Focus On Nature Tours

A List compiled by Armas Hill

A LINK to a LIST of CARIBBEAN BUTTERFLIES

A LINK to a SET of PHOTOS of SOME CARIBBEAN MOTTH (in Jamaica)

A LINK to a SET of PHOTOS of SOME CARIBBEAN MOTHS (in the Dominican Republic)

Photo at upper right: a WHITE-LINED SPHINX, Hyles lineata
(photo by Howard Eskin)

Codes:

M#xxxx: MONA (Moths of North America) Numbers
These generally were Hodge's Numbers from the "Check List of the Lepidoptera North Of Mexico" by R.W. Hodges et. al.
That 1983 list (actually compiled thru 1978) is outdated, but those numbers have long been used (and continue to be in the MONA listing).

Numbers noted as (PNE:xxx) refer to pages with illustrations in the "Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America", by David Beadle & Seabrooke Leckie, 2012

Numbers noted as (PNP:xxx) refer to pages with photographs in the book "Pollinators of Native Plants" by Heather Holm 2014.

Numbers noted as (W:xx) refer to pages in the book "Caterpillars of Eastern North America" by David Wagner, 2005.

CU: in Cuba
CY: in the Cayman Islands
DR: in the Dominican Republic
GD: in Guadeloupe
JM: in Jamaica
PR: in Puerto Rico
SL: in Saint Lucia
SV: in Saint Vincent

(ph): species with a photo in the FONT website

There is an excellent website with photos of moths of Puerto Rico by Aaron Cavosie,
in the "Moth Photographer's Group". A link to it is here:

http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/AC-PR/ACindex.shtml

Species in this list with photos in the Aaron Cavosie site are notated (ph:AC)

There is another excellent website with photos of moths in Jamaica by Matthew Barnes.
A link to that site is here, including "21 beautiful moths in Jamaica":

http://www.mbarnes.force9.co.uk/jamaicamoths/jamaicahome.htm

Species in this list with photos in the Matthew Barnes site are notated (ph:MB)

G.N. Wolcott in a 1951 catalogue of the lepidoptera listed 830 species of moths as being in Puerto Rico.
In a 1995 review, J. Maldonado put the total at 936 species
The increase from 830 to 936 is due in no small part to identifications made from photographs by Aaron Cavosie.
Some of the material in the following list is based upon "A Preliminary Checklist of the Moths of Puerto Rico" by Bob Patterson in which there are 910 species.
Most likely, in the future there will be changes to some current identifications, and it can also be safely said that there are still species of moths to be described in Puerto Rico and elsewhere in the West Indies.

In this listing, there is updated taxonomy with the family EREBIDAE containing moths that were formerly classified in the family NOCTUIDAE, plus all of the former members of the families ARCTIIDAE and LYMANTRIIDAE.
This re-classification has not yet met with general consensus, and many resources and publications still follow the older classification scheme.

As of now, there are 1,740 species of moths in this list.

Among the Moth Groupings in the following list, links to these families:

Uraniidae: Scoopwings    positioned at the beginning of the list due to their attractiveness, would be by GEOMETRIDAE

MICROMOTHS:     Nepticulidae: Pygmy Moths    Opostegidae: White Eyecap Moths

Tischeriidae: "Trumpet" Leaf Miner Moths    Tineidae: Fungus Moths

TINEIDAE includes the subfamilies: ERECHTHLINAE and MEESSIINAE

Acrolophidae: Burrowing Webworm Moths Psychidae & Oikticinae: Bagworm Moths

Lyonettiidae: Leaf Miner Moths Gracillariidae: principal family of Leaf Miner Moths

Elachistidae: Grass Miner Moths

ELACHISTIDAE includes subfamilies: DEPRESSARIINAE, ETHMIINAE, STENOMATINAE

Alucitidae: Many-plumed Moths Blastobasidae: Scavenger Moths

Coleophoridae: Case-bearer Moths Batrachedridae: Flower Moths Cosmopterigidae: Cosmet Moths

Oecophoridae: Concealer Moths Gelechiidae: Twirler Moths Schistonoeidae

Subfamilies in GELECHIIDAE include ANACAMPSINAE, ANOMOLOGINAE, DICHOMERIDINAE, GELECHIINAE

Choreutidae: Metalmark Moths    Yponomeutidae: Ermine Moths    Argyresthiinae

Urodidae: False Burnet Moths    Plutellidae: Diamondback Moth    Heliodinidae: Sun Moths

Cossidae: Cossid Millers    Tortricidae: Leafroller Moths    Megalopygidae: Flannel Moths

Those in COSSIDAE are also called CARPENTERWORM MOTHS or LEOPARD MOTHS
Subfamilies in COSSIDAE include COSSINAE, ZEUZERINAE
In TORTRICIDAE subfamilies include OLETHREUTINAE and TORTRICINAE

Crambidae: Crambid Snout Moths (or "Grass Moths") Pyralidae: Snout Moths

Subfamilies in CRAMBIDAE include ACENTROPINAE (Aquatic Crambids), CRAMBINAE, DICHOGAMINAE,
EVERGESTINAE, GLAPHYRIINAE, MIDILINAE, MUSOTIMINAE, ODONTIINAE, PYRAUSTINAE, SPILOMELINAE

MACROMOTHS: Hedylidae: American Moth Butterflies

Geometridae: Geometer Moths (Loopers, Inchworms, Spanworms) Sphingidae: Sphinx Moths

Subfamilies in GEOMETRIDAE include ENNOMINAE, GEOMETRINAE (the Emeralds),
LARENTIINAE (Carpets and Pugs), OENOCHROMINAE, STERRHINAE

Notodontidae: Prominents Erebidae: subfamilies Lymantriinae, Herminiinae: Litter Moths

All of the families and subfamilies in this list from NOTODONTIDAE to the end are in superfamily NOCTUOIDEA.

Erebidae: subfamilies Hypeninae, Phytometrinae, Calpinae, Eulepidotinae, Scoliopteryginae

In the above link, HYPENINAE are the SNOUTS. In with EULEPIDOTINAE are those in subfamily OPHIDERINAE.

Erebidae: subfamilies Anobinae, Hypenodinae, Rivulinae    Erebidae: subfamily Erebinae

In HYPENODINAE is the Schrankia Moth. Followed in the list by subfamily HYPOCALINAE, with the HYPOCALA MOTH.
In subfamily EREBINAE, a large number of species, including some that were in what was subfamily CATOCALINAE.
Among the moths in EREBINAE is the well-known BLACK WITCH.

Arctiinae: Tiger Moths, Ctenuchini: Wasp Moths, Lithosiini: Lichen Moths, & Pericopini

Euteliidae Nolidae Noctuidae: subfamilies Plusiinae, Bagisarinae, Cuculliinae: Hooded Owlets

In this list with EUTElIDAE are those in subfamily STICTOPTERINAE (of NOCTUIDAE).
The families EUTEIIDAE and NOLIDAE are closely related to NOCTUIDAE, all in the NOCTUOIDEA superfamily.
In NOLIDAE are the NOLID or TUFT MOTHS, including here the subfamiles CHLOEPHORINAE, SARROTHRIPINAE,
and NOLINAE.
PLUSIINAE (in the link above) includes LOOPERS and MILLER MOTHS.

Noctuidae: subfamilies Eustrotiinae, Acontiinae, Amphipyrinae

Also in the above link to EUSTROTIINAE are the subfamilies DIPHTHERINAE, AMPHIPYRINAE, and ONCOCNEMIDINAE.
EUSTROTIINAE include the GLYPHS.
ACONTIINAE are the BIRD-DROPPING MOTHS.
In DIPHTHERINAE is the unique HIEROGLYPHIC MOTH.
In AMPHIPYRINAE are the AMPHIPYRINE SALLOWS.
In ONCOCNEMIDINAE are the ONCOCNEMIDINE SALLOWS.

Noctuidae: subfamilies Agaristinae, Condicinae, Heliothinae, Eriopinae

In AGARISTINAE are the WOOD-NYMPHS and FORESTERS.
CONDICINAE are the GROUNDLINGS.
HELIOTHINAE are the FLOWER MOTHS.
ERIOPINAE are the FERN MOTHS.

Noctuidae: subfamily Noctuinae

Included in the link above to NOCTUINAE are the subfamilies GLOTTULINAE and HADENINAE.
Genera in the above link include:
ELAPHRIA - the MIDGETS
LACINIPOLIA - the SMALL ARCHES
LEUCANIA - the WAINSCOTS
ORTHODES - the QUAKERS
SPODOPTERA - the ARMYWORM MOTHS

Links to Lists & Photo Galleries of Moths in:

Eastern North America (part 1) Eastern North America (part 2)

Central America South America

Other Links:

Upcoming Birding & Nature Tours in the West Indies Upcoming FONT Tours Elsewhere

Alphabetical Directory of Moths by Genus with Photos in the FONT Website

A List & Photo Gallery of Butterflies of the West Indies

Other Photo Galleries & Lists of: Butterflies, Moths, Dragonflies & Damselflies

Birds Mammals Amphibians, Reptiles Marine Life Plants

The following is from the book "Butterfly People. An American Encounter with the Beauty of the World", by William Leach, published in 2013, comparing moths to butterflies:

"Moths and butterflies both belong to the same order, Lepidoptera. Each undergo a complete metamorphosis and each are with wings covered by scales, shingled one upon another, and stamped with color that contributes to the total "tiled mosaic" of the wing.
Both have a proboscis, or a long, slender, coiled-up tube attached to the head, which the insects uncoil to suck nectar from many kinds of flowers, pollinating as they go. As caterpillars, however, they are much more choosy, with some dependent on only one food plant, others on a few, and still others on many different species of plants.
Both moths and butterflies are cold-blooded, requiring an infusion from the heat of an ambient atmosphere.
But even with their similarities, the differences between moths and butterflies abound.
In the most general terms, the majority of moths have feathery, tapered antennae. These, like radar, guide them through the dark, and the males rely on them to pick up the scent of females.
Butterflies generally have clubbed or hooked antennae, used to smell and track down nectar, and for sexual purposes.
Moths have thick, commonly hairy bodies and large multifaceted, compound eyes and usually inhabit the night, while the majority of butterflies fly by day and have smaller eyes and thinner, relatively hairless bodies.
The classic exception for moths are those belong to the URANIIDAE family. They look like butterflies in nearly every respect and are among the most stunning diurnal lepidoptera in the world."

Our list of moths here begins with those in the Family URANIIDAE, as it is attractive, as well as being a moth that to many appears to be a butterfly.
After the family URANIIDAE, the first part of this list are the MICROMOTHS (MICROLEPIDOPTERA), followed by the MACROMOTHS (MACROLEPIDOPTERA.


A List of Moths in the Caribbean:

          Family URANIIDAE: the SCOOPWINGS

URANIIDAE is in the superfamily GEOMETROIDEA
Others in that group later in this list, mostly in the Family GEOMETRIDAE

Erosia incongua ______ JM
Urania fulgens (ph) ______ M#7658 CY
URANIA SWALLOWTAIL MOTH (or Green Urania

Urania fulgens is undoubtedly the most spectacular of the day-flying moths in the Cayman Islands. It could be misidentified as a swallowtail butterfly, but its wing pattern is unlike any West Indian swallowtail.

Urania fulgens is not a resident in the Caymans, but it occurs there at times, probably blown off course during its migration in Central America.

In the Cayman Islands, dozens of Green Uranias were blown to Grand Cayman (probably from Central America), from September 28 to 30, 2010 by Tropical Depression #16 (which briefly became Tropical Storm Nicole).

A Urania Swallowtail Moth photographed during a FONT Tour
in Costa Rica
(photo by Rosemary Lloyd)
Urania boisduvalii ______ CU (species endemic to western Cuba)
Urania poeyi (phMB) ______ CU JM(rare)

Urania poeyi, of Cuba, apparently occurs in Jamaica as a stray. It is very similar to Urania fulgens (above) of mostly Central America, and they may actually be the same species.
Urania sloanus (phMB) ______ JM (species was endemic to Jamaica, now extinct; last reported about 1895, but possibly survived until around 1908)

A number of photographs and illustrations follow in this list, but mostly in the latter part, beyond the moths in the CRAMBIDAE.
In ARCTIINAE, in particular, there are photos of some especially striking and colorful species.

Subfamily EPIPLEMINAE in the Family URANIIDAE

Moths in EPIPLEMINAE are small to medium in size, with dark colors.

EPIPLEMINAE live on all continents except Europe and Antarctica. It is widely distributed in the tropics and poorly represented in temperate zones.
With some 550 species identified in 70 genera worldwide, EPIPLEMINAE is the most numerous subfamily of URANIIDAE.
Epiplema ecludaria ______ PR
Epiplema ineptaria ______ PR
Epiplema obvallataria ______ PR
Nedusia excavata (phMB) ______ PR
Nedusia aegisthus (phMB) ______ DR JM
Syngria ramosaria ______ PR
Syngria reticularia ______ PR
Trotorhombia metachromata ______ M#7657.2 PR

Family NEPTICULIDAE: the PYGMY MOTHS, or MIDGET MOTHS
Stigmella gossypii ______ M#0076 PR
COTTON LEAFMINER MOTH

Family OPOSTEGIDAE: WHITE EYECAP MOTHS

This family is characterized by particularly large eyecaps over compound eyes.
Pseudopostega clavata ______ PR species described in 2007
Pseudopostega colognatha ______ PR species described in 2007
Pseudopstega ferruginia ______ PR species described in 2007
Pseudopstega latifurcata ______ PR species described in 2007
Pseudopstega latisaccula ______ PR species described in 2007
Pseudopostega longifurcata ______ JM species described in 2007
Pseudopostega mignonae ______ JM species described in 2007
Pseudopostega saltatrix ______ JM PR
Pseudopostega sectila ______ PR
Pseudopostega venticola ______ M#0119.5 DR PR

Family TISCHERIIDAE: the "TRUMPET" LEAF MINER MOTHS
Astrotischeria heliopsisella ______ M#0159 PR

Family TINEIDAE: FUNGUS MOTHS or TINEID MOTHS

The larvae of the TINEIDS feed on fungi, lichens and detritus

The moths of the TINEIDAE and the ACROLOPHIDAE (below) are small, streamlined moths with variably patterned forewing markings.
Many have a forewing fringe slightly flared with hair-like scales.
The adults are mostly nocturnal and come to lights in small numbers.
Antipolistes anthracelia ______ PR
Erechthias minuscula ______ M#0304 PR (in ERECHTHLINAE)
CARIBBEAN SCAVENGER MOTH
Ereunetis aeneoalbida ______ PR (in ERECHTHLINAE)
Ereunetis particolor ______ PR (in ERECHTHLINAE)
Eudarcia argyrophaea ______ PR (in MEESSIINAE)
Eudarcia tischeriella ______ PR (in MEESSIINAE)
Haplotinea insectella ______ M#0325 PR (in MYRMECOZELINAE)
FUNGUS GRAIN MOTH
Infurcitinea luteella ______ PR (in MEESSIINAE)
Infurcitinea palpella ______ PR (in MEESSIINAE)
Lepyrotica brevistrigata ______ PR (unassigned as to subfamily)
Lepyrotica fragilella ______ DR (unassigned as to subfamily)
Mea incudella ______ PR (in MEESSIINAE)
Mea yunquella ______ PR (in MEESSIINAE)
Niditinea fuscella ______ M#0411 PR species described by Linnaeus in 1758 (in TINEINAE)
BROWN-DOTTED CLOTHES MOTH

Despite its name, the Brown-dotted Clothes Moth feeds on feathers in bird nests.
Opogona simplex ______ DR (in HIEROXESTINAE)
Protodarcia plumella ______ PR (in MEESSIINAE)
Protodarcia tischeriella ______ DR (in MEESSIINAE)
Taeniodictys sericella ______ PR (unassigned as to subfamily)
Tinea cretella ______ DR (in TINEINAE)
Tinea familiaris ______ DR PR (in TINEINAE)
Tinea minutella ______ PR (in TINEINAE)
Tinea palliddorsella ______ PR (in TINEINAE)
Tinea scythropiella ______ PR (in TINEINAE)
Tineola walsinghami ______ PR (in TINEINAE)
Tiquadra aeneonivella ______ PR (in HAPSIFERINAE)
Urodus mirella ______ PR
Xystrologa antipathetica ______ M#0426.1 PR (unassigned as to subfamily)

Family ACROLOPHIDAE: the BURROWING WEBWORM MOTHS

Moths in this grouping are also said to be the subfamily ACROLOPHINAE in TINEIDAE.
Acrolophus arcanella ______ M#0340 PR
GRASS TUBEWORM MOTH
Acrolophus arcasalis ______ DR
Acrolophus australis ______ DR
Acrolophus harpasen ______ PR
Acrolophus illudens ______ JM
Acrolophus indecora ______ DR
Acrolophus irrisoria ______ JM
Acrolophus occultum ______ DR
Acrolophus ochracea ______ PR
Acrolophus plumifrontella (phAC) ______ M#0372 PR
EASTERN GRASS TUBEWORM MOTH
Acrolophus triatomellus ______ PR
Acrolophus triformellus ______ PR
Acrolophus umbratipalpis ______ DR
Acrolophus vitellus ______ PR
Acrolophus walsinghami ______ M#0386.1 PR

Families PSYCHIDAE and OIKETICINAE: the BAGWORM MOTHS
Cryptothelea nigrita ______ M#0441 PR (in PSYCHINAE)
NIGRITA BAGWORM MOTH
Cryptothelea watsoni ______ DR PR (in PSYCHINAE)
Lumacra haitiensis ______ DR species described in 1964 (in PSYCHINAE)
Oiketicus kirbyi (phMB) ______ DR JM PR (in OIKETICINAE)
Paucivena hispaniolae ______ DR JM species described in 1975 (in PSYCHIDAE)
Paucivena reticulata ______ JM PR species described in 1975 (in PSYCHIDAE)
Pterogyne insularis ______ DR species described in 1975 (in PENESTOGLOSSINAE)
Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis ______ H#0457 DR
EVERGREEN BAGWORM MOTH

Family LYONETIIDAE: the larvae are LEAF MINERS
Leucoptera coffeella ______ PR

Family GRACILLARIIDAE: the principal family of LEAF-MINING MOTHS

The GRACILLARIIDAE are very small, streamlined moths that usually rest propped up on their forelegs.
The larvae are leafminers on a variety of deciduous trees.
Adults are nocturnal and visit lights in small numbers.
Acrocercops albomarginatum ______ PR
Acrocercops cymelia ______ PR
Acrocercops inconspicua ______ PR
Acrocercops pontifica ______ PR
Acrocercops undifraga ______ DR
Acrocercops zebrulella ______ PR
Caloptilia aseneocapitelia ______ M#0590 PR
Dialectica rendalli ______ JM PR
Diallectica permixtella ______ DR
Dialictica sanctaecrucis ______ DR JM PR
Eucosmorpha dives ______ DR PR
Macrosaccus gliricidius ______ JM
Neurobathra cupreela ______ JM
Parectopa pulverella ______ DR
Parectopa undosa ______ DR
Phyllocnistis citrella ______ M#0854.1 DR JM PR
CITRUS LEAFMINER MOTH
Spanioptila spinosum ______ PR

Family ELACHISTIDAE: GRASS-MINER MOTHS

Subfamily DEPRESSARIINAE
Gonionota rosacea ______ DR

Subfamily ETHMIINAE in the Family ELACHISTIDAE

The ETHMIINAE is a distinctive group of small, flattish moths with long upward-curving labial pulps.
All are nocturnal and visit lights in small numbers.
Ethmia abraxasella ______ M#0994.1 DR JM PR
Ethmia confusella ______ M#0996 DR PR
Ethmia cubensis ______ JM
Ethmia farrella ______ M#0998 JM species described in 1973
Ethmia gelidella ______ JM
Ethmia humilis ______ JM species described in 1973
Ethmia joviella ______ PR
Ethmia julia ______ PR species described in 1973
Ethmia kirbyi ______ M#0997 DR PR
Ethmia nivosella ______ DR PR
Ethmia notatella ______ M#0995 DR PR
Ethmia paucella ______ DR
Ethmia piperella ______ JM species described in 1973
Ethmia scythropa ______ JM
Ethmia submissa ______ M#0994.2 JM PR
Ethmia subsimilis ______ M#0994.3 JM

Subfamily STENOMATINAE in the Family ELACHISTIDAE
Cerconota anonella ______ DR
Mothonica ocellea ______ PR

Family ALUCITIDAE: the MANY-PLUMED MOTHS
Alucita montana (ph) (phAC) ______ M#2313 PR (PNE:125)
SIX-PLUME MOTH

The Six-plume Moth is distinctive, with wings made up of multiple feathery plumes, which it usually holds spread while at rest. It comes to lights in small numbers.

Six-plume Moth
Orneodes eudactyla ______ PR

Family BLASTOBASIDAE: SCAVENGER MOTHS

or the subfamily BLASTOBASINAE in the family COLEOPHORIDAE (below)
Auximobasis constans ______ PR
Auximobasis insularis ______ PR
Auximobasis variolata ______ PR
Blastobasis glandulelia ______ M#1162 PR (PNE:55)
ACORN MOTH
Blastobasis subolivacea ______ PR

Family COLEOPHORIDAE: CASEBEARING MOTHS, the ''CASE-BEARERS''

Those in COLEOPHORIDAE are small, streamlined moths, usually with long forward-pointing antennae.
The larvae mine in leaves and seeds, living in cases made from plant material and frass,
Many species are difficult to identify as adults and are best identified by their larval cases.
Adults are mostly nocturnal and come to lights in small numbers.
Coleophora pulchricornis ______ M#1363 PR
Pammces picticornis ______ PR

Family BATRACHEDRIDAE: FLOWER MOTHS
Batrachedra albistrigelia ______ PR
Homaledra sabalella ______ M#1422 PR
PALM LEAF SKELETONIZER MOTH

Family COSMOPTERIGIDAE: COSMET MOTHS

The COSMOPTERIGIDAE are small moths with moderately narrow wings.
The larvae are predominantly miners of leaves or stems, or they feed on flower buds or seed heads.
The adults are nocturnal and come to lights, but a few species may also be observed during the day.
Aphanosara planistes ______ PR
Batrachedra albistrigella ______ PR
Cosmopterix abnormalis _____ JM
Cosmopterix albicaudus ______ JM
Cosmoperix argentifera ______ JM species described in 2010
Cosmopterix astrapias (or Cosmopterix bendidia) ______ M#1473 JM PR
Cosmopterix attenuatella ______ M#1474 JM PR
Cosmopterix carpo ______ PR species described in 2010
Cosmopterix ebriola ______ M#1495 JM species described in 1962
Cosmopterix floridanella ______ M#1497 JM
Cosmopterix gemmiferella ______ M#1490 PR
Cosmopterix interfracta ______ JM PR
Cosmopterix irrubricata ______ JM
Cosmopterix similis ______ PR
Cosmopterix teligera ______ JM
Cosmopterix vanderwolfi ______ PR species described in 2010
Ithome curvipunctella ______ M#1639 PR
Ithome fuscula ______ PR
Ithome pernigrella ______ PR
Pebobs elaria ______ JM
Petobus ipomoeae ______ PR
Petobus sanctivincenti ______ PR
Perimede annulata ______ PR
Perimede purpurescens ______ PR
Pyroderces stigmato phora ______ PR
Stilbosis phaeoptera ______ PR
Tricionella mediocris ______ PR

Family OECOPHORIDAE: the CONCEALER MOTHS
Agonopterix argillacea ______ PR
Mothonica ocellea ______ PR

Family GELECHIIDAE: the TWIRLER MOTHS

The GELECHIIDAE is a huge assemblage of small and very small moths, with upward-pointing labial palps that curve over the head like tiny horns.
It is a varied group. Some are remarkably colorful or metallic, while others are relatively plain and difficult to identify.
The adults of most species come to lights in small to moderate numbers. Some are commonly observed during the day.

Subfamily ANOMOLOGINAE in the Family GELECHIIDAE
Monochroa absconditella ______ M#1706 PR

Subfamily GELECHIINAE in the Family GELECHIIDAE
Agnippe evippeella ______ M#1774 PR
Aristotelia diolcella ______ PR
Aristotelia lignicolora ______ PR
Aristotelia penicillata ______ DR PR
Aristotelia pudibundella ______ M#1756 DR
Aristotelia trossulella ______ DR
Aristotelia vagabundelia ______ PR
Chionodes salva ______ PR
Gelechia exclarella ______ PR
Keiferia gudmannella ______ PR
Keiferia lycopersicella ______ M#2047 DR
TOMATO PINWORM MOTH
Nicanthes rhodoclea ______ PR
Phthorimaea operculella ______ DR PR
Polyhymno luteostrigella ______ PR
Recurvaria annulicornis ______ PR
Recurvaria eromene ______ PR
Recurvaria kittelia ______ DR PR
Stegasta bosqueella ______ M#2209 PR
RED-NECKED PEANUTWORM MOTH
Stegasta capitella ______ DR PR
Symmetrischema striatella ______ M#2039 PR
Telphusa distictella ______ PR
Telphusa perspicua ______ DR PR
Tildenia gudmannella ______ DR

Subfamily ANACAMPSINAE in the Family GELECHIIDAE
Anacampsis insularis ______ PR
Anacampis mangelivora ______ PR
Anacampis meibomiella ______ PR
Anacampis melanophaea ______ PR
Anacampis picticornis ______ PR
Brachyacma palpigera (phAC) ______ M#2272 PR
SOYBEAN WEBWORM MOTH
Compsolechia plumbeolata ______ PR
Pectinophora gossypiella ______ M#2261 PR
PINK BOLLWORM MOTH
Sitotroga cerealella ______ PR

Subfamily DICHOMERIDINAE in the Family GELECHIIDAE
Commatica bufuscella ______ PR
Dichomeris acuminata ______ M#2284 PR
Dichomeris arotrosema ______ PR
Dichomeris indigna ______ PR
Dichomeris manelia ______ PR
Dichomeris melissia ______ PR
Dichomeris pectinella ______ PR
Dichomeris piperata ______ PR
Empedaula rhodocosma ______ PR
Eunebristis zingarella ______ PR
Glaucacna iridea ______ PR
Oecia oecophila ______ PR
Onebala elliptica ______ PR
Thiotricha godmani ______ DR
Thiotricha sciurella ______ PR

Family SCHISTONOEIDAE
Schistonoeidae fulvidella ______ PR

Family CHOREUTIDAE: the METALMARK MOTHS

The relationship of the moths in the family CHOREUTIDAE has long been disputed.
They have been placed in the family GLYPHIPTERIGIDAE in the superfamily YPONOMEUTOIDEA,
and also in the superfamily SESIOIDEA.

Those in CHOREUTIDAE are very small moths with broad wings that often have metallic scales.
The wings are usually held above the body while at rest.
Adults are active during the day and can be found visiting flowers or resting among vegetation.
Brenthia confluxana ______ JM
Brenthia elongata ______ PR species described in 1985
Brenthia hibiscusae ______ PR species described in 1985
Hemerophila biferana ______ DR
Tortyra auriferalis ______ DR
Tortyra aurofasciana ______ PR

Family YPONOMEUTIDAE: the ERMINE MOTHS

Those in YPONOMEUTIDAE are small to tiny moths with long, narrow wings.
The Ermines (in the genus Yponomeuta) are distinctive, being white with many small black spots that are variable in umber and placement.
The adults are nocturnal and come to lights in small to moderate numbers.
Atteva siderea ______ DR
Euame obligatella ______ PR
Yponomeuta triangularis ______ PR

Family ARGYRESTHIIDAE

Now said by some to be subfamily ARGYRESTHIINAE of YPONOMEUTIDAE (above). (above).

The ARGYRESTHIIDAE are tiny moths whose white and gold coloration is the most distinguishing feature when viewed with the naked eye.
The adults are nocturnal and frequently visit lights in small to moderate numbers.
Argyresthia conjugella ______ M#2449 PR
APPLE FRUIT MOTH

Family URODIDAE (formerly in YPONOMEUTIDAE)
Urodus mirella ______ DR PR
Urodus sordidata ______ PR

Family PLUTELLIDAE: the DIAMONDBACK MOTH

Those in PLUTELLIDAE are small, narrow-winged moths.
The Plutella species rest with their antennae held forward from the body. The flared wings may appear to curl up at the tips.
The adults are nocturnal and come to lights in small numbers.
Plutella xylostella (ph) ______ M#2366 DR PR (PNE:47) species described by Linnaeus in 1758
DIAMONDBACK MOTH

The Diamondback Moth was introduced into the New World from Europe before the 1850s.

Above & below: the Diamondback Moth, Plutella xylostella
(lower photo by Stephen Kloiber)

Family HELIODINIDAE: SUN MOTHS

HELIODINIDS are tiny, brightly colored day-flying moths.
Embola melanotela ______ DR
Heliodines quinqueguttata ______ PR

Family COSSIDAE: the COSSID MILLERS, or CARPENTER MILLERS

Moths in COSSIDAE are from small to large, with a pattern of reticulated coloration in the wings. They are predominately gray or brown and sometimes cream-colored, with a stout body, and an abdomen that is long and frequently containing a large quantity of fat.

COSSIDAE is a cosmopolitan family. Worldwide, about 700 species have been identified.
Cossula morgani ______ JM species described in 1957 (in COSSINAE)
Psychonoctua personalis (phMB) ______ DR JM PR (in ZEUZERINAE)
Voousia punctifer (phMB) ______ JM (in COSSINAE)

Family TORTRICIDAE: the LEAFROLLER MOTHS

Subfamily OLETHREUTINAE

In the OLETHREUTINE MOTHS, in the subfamily OLETHREUTINAE, as with other TORTRICID MOTHS, the forewing margin is usually slightly curved. But it is narrower at the base, giving the moth a more tapered appearance.
Many species in this grouping have fuzzy labial palps.
While head shape and wing posture are similar to those in the tribe COCHYLINI (below), the OLETHREUTINE MOTHS can be recognized by their higher head profile with the resulting straighter "back".
Most, as larvae, are leafrollers.
Adults come to lights, sometimes in moderate numbers.
Ancylis virididorsana (phAC) ______ PR
Bactra philocherda ______ DR species described in 1964
Bactra priapeia ______ M#2709 PR
Bactra verutana (phAC) ______ M#2707 PR
JAVELIN MOTH
Cacocharis canofascia ______ PR
Cacocharis cymotoma ______ M#2704 DR
Crocidosema calvifrons ______ PR
COTTON TIPWORM MOTH
Crocidosema longipalpana ______ M#3274.2 DR PR
Crocidosema plebejana (phAC) ______ M#3274 DR PR
COMMON TIPWORM MOTH
Crocidosema unica ______ M#3724.3 PR
Cryptaspasma bipenicilla ______ DR species described in 2004
Cryptaspasma lugubris ______ DR
Cydia ingens ______ DR
Cydia membrosa ______ M#3458 DR
Cydia albimaculana ______ M#3461 PR (PNE:123)
WHITE-MARKED CYDIA MOTH
Cydia fahlbergiana (phAC) ______ M#3482 PR
Dichrorampha excitana ______ M#3450 PR
Endothenia hebesana ______ M#2738 PR (PNE:109)
DULL-BARRED ENDOTHENIA (or the VERBENA BUD MOTH)
Epiblema strenuana ______ M#3172 DR PR
RAGWEED BORER MOTH
Episimus guiana ______ DR
Episimus transferrana ______ DR
Ethelgoda texanana ______ JM PR
Eucosma autochthones ______ PR
Gymnandrosoma aurantianum ______ DR PR
Gymnandrosoma desotanum ______ M#3496 PR
Gymnandrosoma leucothorax ______ DR PR species described in 2001
Gymnandrosoma punctidiscanum (phAC) ______ M#3495 PR
DOTTED ECDYTOLOPHA MOTH
Gymnandrosoma trachycerus ______ PR
Olethreutes anthracana ______ PR
Olethreutes subapicana ______ DR
Rhopobota cicatrix ______ DR species described in 1999
Rhopobota macroceria ______ DR species described in 1999
Rhopobota microceria ______ DR species described in 1999
Rhopbota unidens ______ DR species described in 1999
Rhyacionia frustrana ______ DR
Rhyacionia pallidicosta ______ DR species described in 1999
Strepsicrates smithiana ______ M#2907 DR PR
BAYBERRY LEAFTIER MOTH

TORTRICIDAE, Subfamily TORTRICINAE in the Family TORTRICIDAE

This group includes those in the tribe COCHYLINI: the COCHYLID MOTHS

Those below in the genera Amorbia and Platynota are SPARGANOTHID LEAFROLLERS in the tribe SPARGANOTHIDINI.
These are small moths, similar in appearance to other members of the subfamily, but they have longer labial palps giving, as with the COCHYLID MOTHS, a snouty appearance. Many of the SPARGANOTHIDINI are brightly colored.

Generally, the TORTRIX LEAFROLLERS in the subfamily TORTRICINAE are small, flat moths with straight or slightly rounded wings that form a shallow point at the apex.
Many species show a dark triangle on the outer edge of the forewing.
It is the larvae that are typically leafrollers.
Adults are nocturnal and come to lights in small numbers.

The COCHYLID MOTHS are small with flared wings that are kept folded at rest. The head, with its fuzzy labial palps, is usually tucked downward, creating a snouty, hunch-backed appearance.
The larvae are seed, flower, and stem borers.
Adults are nocturnal and come to lights in small numbers.
Aethes olibra ______ JM (endemic) species described in 1994 (in COCHYLINI)
Aethesoides distigmatana ______ PR
Amorbia effoetana ______ PR (in SPARGANOTHIDINI)
Amorbia sp. ______ DR
Apinoglossa comburana ______ PR
Apotoforma monochroma ______ DR
Apotoforma negans ______ DR
Apotoforma rotundipennis ______ M#3564 PR
Argyrotaenia bisignata ______ DR species described in 1999
Argyrotaenia ceramica ______ DR species described in 1999
Argyrotaenia felisana ______ DR species described in 1999
Argyrotaenia mesosignaria ______ DR species described in 1999
Argyrotaenia minisignaria ______ DR species described in 1999
Argyrotaenia neibana ______ DR species described in 1999
Argyrotaenia nuezana ______ DR species described in 1999
Argyrotaenia ochrochroa ______ DR species described in 1999
Argyrotaenia thamaluncus ______ DR species described in 1999
Bonagota dominicana ______ DR species described in 1999
Claduncaria ochrochlaena ______ DR species described in 1999
Cochylis bunteoides ______ PR (in COCHYLINI)
Cochylis parallelana ______ M#3779 PR (in COCHYLINI)
Cochylis pimana ______ DR
Cochylis protectana ______ PR (in COCHYLINI)
Cochylis tectonicana ______ PR (in COCHYLINI)
Cochylis vicinitana ______ PR (in COCHYLINI)
Coellostathma discopunctana (phAC) ______ M#3747 PR
THE BATMAN MOTH
Coellostathma parallelana ______ DR
Drachmobola insignitana ______ PR
Eugnosta chalicophora ______ DR species described in 1999
Ewunia gemella ______ PR species described in 2002
Lasiothyris puertoricana ______ PR species described in 2007
Lorita lepidulana ______ PR
Maricaona maricaonana ______ PR species described in 2007
Orthocomotis independentia ______ DR species described in 1999
Platphalonidia subolivacea ______ M#3835.1 PR
Platynota flavedana (phAC) ______ M#3732 DR PR (in SPARGANOTHIDINI)
BLACK-SHADED PLATYNOTA MOTH
Platynota restitutana ______ DR
Platynota rostrana (phAC) ______ M#3745 DR PR (in SPARGANOTHIDINI)
OMNIVOROUS PLATYNOTA MOTH
Saphenista multistrigata ______ PR
Saphenista peraviae ______ DR species described in 1994
Saphenista semistrigata ______ PR

Family MEGALOPYGIDAE: the FLANNEL MOTHS, also called the CRINKLED FLANNEL MOTHS

Moths in MEGALOPYGIDAE are small to medium in size, with a very hairy abdomen. Females are usually larger and heavier, but there is no marked sexual dimorphism.

The family MEGALOPYGIDAE is restricted to the New World, and has its greatest diversity in the Neotropics.
242 species have been described, mainly in Central America & South America.
Megalopyge krugi ______ PR

Family CRAMBIDAE: the CRAMBID SNOUT MOTHS, or "GRASS MOTHS"

Subfamily ACENTROPINAE: AQUATIC CRAMBIDS

Those in ACENTROPINAE are small deltoid moths that often have beautiful complex wing markings.
Their resting posture may either be with wings spread, or folded, sometimes quite tightly, to form a deltoid shape.
The larvae are aquatic, feeding on water lilies and other aquatic vegetation.
They come to lights in small numbers, and can sometimes be seen fluttering above lily pads or other vegetation in ponds.
Chrysendeton claudialis ______ DR
Chrysendeton medicinalis ______ M#4744 PR
BOLD MEDICINE MOTH
Neargyractis fulvicinctalis ______ JM
Neargyractis moniligeralis ______ JM PR
Neargyractis plusialis ______ PR
Parapoynx diminutalis (ph) (phAC) ______ M#4765 PR
HYDRILLA LEAFCUTTER MOTH

Hydrilla Leafcutter Moth
Parapoynx fluctuosalis ______ PR
Petrophila albulalis ______ JM
Petrophila doriscalis ______ PR
Petrophila gratalis ______ DR
Petrophila insullalis ______ DR
Petrophila malcusalis ______ DR
Petrophila opulentalis ______ PR
Petrophila sumptuosalis ______ PR

Family CRAMBIDAE, Subfamily CRAMBINAE

Those in CRAMBINAE are small, narrow moths that are commonly found in grassy woodlands and old fields.
They rest with their wings tight to the body, forming a tubular shape.
Long fuzzy palps give them a snouty look. They are predominantly golden-brown, often with satin-white streaks.
Adults are regular visitors to lights and are frequently flushed from vegetation in the daytime.
Argyria diplomachalis ______ PR species described in 1940
Argyria lacteeila ______ M#5463 PR
MILKY UROLA MOTH
Argyria vestalis ______ JM
Crambus coccophyhorus ______ JM
Crambus discludellus ______ PR
Crambus moeschleralis ______ PR species described in 1940
Crambus quinquareatus ______ M#5369 PR
LARGE-STRIPED GRASS-VENEER MOTH
Cyclocena lelex ______ PR
Diatraea crambidoides ______ M#5476 DR
SOUTHERN CORNSTALK BORER MOTH
Diatraea saccharalis ______ M#5475 DR JM PR
SUGARCANE BORER MOTH
Donacoscaptes micralis ______ JM
Fissicrambus curtelius ______ JM
Fissicrambus fissiradiellus ______ M#5430 DR PR
Fissicrambus haytiellus ______ M#5433 DR
CARPET-GRASS WEBWORM MOTH
Fissicrambus minuellus ______ M#5437 PR
Fissicrambus profanellus ______ M#5431 JM PR
Mesolia jamaicensis ______ JM
Mesolia plurimella ______ DR
Microcausta argenticilia ______ JM
Microcausta flavipunctalis ______ M#5456 PR
Microcrambus atristrigellus ______ JM
Microcrambus biguttellus (ph) ______ M#5419 PR (PNE:151)
GOLD-STRIPED GRASS-VENEER

Gold-striped Grass-Veneer
Microcrambus discludellus ______ M#5423 DR PR
Microcrambus elegans (ph) ______ M#5420 PR (PNE:153)
ELEGANT GRASS-VENEER

Elegant Grass-Veneer
Microcrambus francescellus ______ DR
Microcrambus podalirius ______ DR
Microcausta flavipunctalis ______ PR
Parapediasia ligonella ______ M#5451.1 JM PR
Pediasia luteotelia ______ JM
Prionapteryx eugraphis ______ DR JM
Urola nivalis (ph) ______ M#5464 PR (PNE:153)
SNOWY UROLA MOTH

Snowy Urola
(photo by Stephen Kloiber)

Family CRAMBIDAE, Subfamily DICHOGAMINAE
Alatuncusia bergii ______ M#4793 JM PR
BERG'S ALATUNCUSIA MOTH
Chrysendeton bromachalis ______ PR
Chrysendeton medicinalis ______ PR
Chrysendeton miralis ______ PR
Dichogama colotha ______ M#4792 PR
Dichogama decoralis ______ JM
Dichogama fernaldi ______ PR
Dichogama gudmanni ______ PR
Dichogama innocua (phMB) ______ JM PR
Dichogama jessicales ______ PR species described in 1940
Dichogama redtenbacheri (phAC) ______ H#4790 JM PR
CAPER-LEAF WEBWORM MOTH

Family CRAMBIDAE, Subfamily EVERGESTINAE
Evergestella evincalis ______ M#4932 JM PR
Evergestis rimosalis (phMB) ______ M#4898 JM
CROSS-STRIPED CABBAGEWORM MOTH
Microtheoris ophionalis ______ PR
Mimoschinia rufofascialis ______ PR
Mimoschinia thalialis ______ PR
Symphysa discalis ______ JM
Trischistognatha palindialis ______ PR
Trischistognatha pyrenealis (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#4933 DR JM PR

Family CRAMBIDAE, Subfamily GLAPHYRIINAE
Aethiophysa savoralis ______ PR
Alatuncusia canalis ______ DR
Chalcoela pegasalis ______ M#4896 JM PR
WASP PARASITIZER MOTH
Dichogama decoralis _______ DR
Dichymolomia metalophota (phMB) ______ M#4890 JM PR
Glaphyria badierana ______ JM PR
Glaphyria decisa ______ JM
Glaphyria dolatalis ______ PR
Glaphyria pupillalis ______ JM
Hellula phidilealis (phMB) ______ M#4847 DR JM PR
CABBAGE BUDWORM MOTH
Hellula rogatalis ______ DR
Lipocosma hebescalis ______ PR
Stegea jamaicensos ______ JM

Family CRAMBIDAE, Subfamily MIDILINAE
Odilia noralis ______ PR species described in 1940

Family CRAMBIDAE, Subfamily MUSOTIMINAE
Barisoa intentalis ______ JM
Neurophyseta mineolatis ______ PR species described in 1940
Neurophyseta rufalis ______ JM
Undulambia albitessellalis ______ JM
Undulambia grisealis ______ JM
Undulambia leucocymalis ______ JM
Undulambia oedizonalis ______ JM
Undulambia phaeochroalis ______ JM

Family CRAMBIDAE, Subfamily ODONTIINAE
Basonga paradisalis (phMB) ______ JM
Cliniodes cyllarusalis ______ JM
Cliniodes euphrosinalis ______ JM PR
Cliniodes nacrealis ______ DR species described in 1964
Cliniodes opalalis (phMB) ______ JM
Cliniodes semilunalis ______ PR
Cliniodes underwoodi (phMB) ______ JM
Microtheoris ophionalis ______ JM
Mimoschina rufofascialis (phMB) ______ DR JM

Family CRAMBIDAE, Subfamily PYRAUSTINAE (including SPILOMELINAE)
Achyra bifidalis (phMB) ______ M#4974 DR JM PR
Achyra nudalis ______ PR
Achyra rantalis ______ M#4975 DR JM PR (PNE:167)
GARDEN WEBWORM MOTH
Achyra similalis ______ PR
Agathodes designalis (ph) (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5240 DR JM PR
Agathodes designalis monstralis ______ subspecies in the West Indies
SKY-POINTING MOTH
(also occurs in Mexico, Central America, South America)

Agathodes designalis, the Sky-pointing Moth
(copyrighted photo by Lisa Johnson)
Apogeshna infirmalis ______ JM PR
Apogeshna acestealis ______ DR
Apogeshna stenialis (phAC) ______ M#5177 PR
CHECKERED APOGESHNA MOTH
Araschnopsis (or Sisyracera) subulalis (phAC) ______ M#5194 JM PR
Arthromastix lauralis (phMB) ______ DR JM PR (has also been in subfamily SPILOMELINAE)
Asciodes denticulinea ______ PR species described in 1940
Asciodes fimbriauralis ______ JM PR (has also been in subfamily SPILOMELINAE)
Asciodes gordialis (phMB) ______ M#5267 DR JM PR
BOUGAINVILLEA CATERPILLAR MOTH
Asciodes scopulalis ______ JM
Asturodes fimbriauralis (phMB) ______ JM PR
Ategumia ebulealis (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5158 JM PR
Ategumia matutinalis (phMB) ______ JM
Atomopteryx pterophoralis ______ PR
Atomopteryx serpentifera ______ PR
Azochis euvexalis ______ PR
Azochis rufidiscalis (phAC) ______ M#5232 DR PR
Bicilia iarchasalis ______ M#5271 DR JM PR
Bicilia lentistrialis (phMB) ______ JM
Bicilia olivia ______ JM
Blepharomastix achroalis ______ M#5185 JM
Blepharomastix aguirrealis ______ PR species described in 1940
Blepharomastix branealis ______ JM
Blepharomastix differentialis ______ M#5190 PR
Blepharomastix ranalis ______ M#5182 PR (PNE:173)
HOLLOW-SPOTTED BLEPHAROMASTRIX MOTH
Boccharopsis pharaxalis ______ DR
Bradina hemmingala ______ PR
Bradina hemmingalis ______ JM PR species described in 1940 (has also been in subfamily SPILOMELINAE)
Bradina purpurascens ______ JM (has also been in subfamily SPILOMELINAE)
Ceratociasis delimitalis ______ DR PR (has also been in subfamily SPILOMELINAE)
Coenostolopsis apicalis (phMB) ______ JM
Condylodes concinnalis ______ M#5293 PR
Conchylodes dipheralis (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5290 DR JM PR
Conchylodes hebraealis ______ DR
Conchylodes hedonialis ______ DR
Condylodes oculatalis ______ PR
Condylodes vestigalis ______ M#5215 PR
THE ALAMO MOTH
Crocidocnemis pellucidalis ______ M#5153 PR
Cryptobotys zoilusalis (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5282 JM PR
Cyclocena lelex ______ DR JM
Desmia ceresalis ______ JM PR
Desmia deploralis ______ M#5166 JM
DEPLORING DESMIA MOTH
Desmia funeralis ______ DR
Desmia nacialis ______ PR
Desmia niveiciliata ______ DR
Desmia ploralis (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5167 DR JM PR
MOURNFUL DESMIA MOTH
Desmia recurvalis ______ PR species described in 1940
Desmia stenizonalis ______ M#5165 PR
Desmia tages ______ M#5164 JM PR
Desmia ufeus (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5162 DR JM PR
Deuterophysa micralis ______ M#5123.1 JM
Deuterophysa sanguiflualis ______ JM
Diacme adipaloides ______ M#5143 DR
DARKER DIACME MOTH
Diacme elealis (phAC) ______ M#5142 PR (PNE:171)
PALER DIACME MOTH
Diacme mopsalis (phMB) ______ M#5145 JM PR
MOPSALIS DIACME MOTH
Diacme phyllisalis ______ M#5144 JM
Diacme attigua ______ JM
Diaphania antillia ______ DR species described in 1960
Diaphania attigua ______ JM
Diaphania busccalis ______ DR
Diaphania costata (phMB) ______ DR JM PR
Diaphania elegans (phMB) ______ M#5207.1 DR JM
Diaphania fuscicaudalis ______ JM PR
Diaphania glauculalis ______ DR
Diaphania hyalinata (ph) (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5204 DR JM PR SL (PNE:173) species described by Linnaeus in 1767
MELONWORM MOTH

Melonworm Moth
Diaphania immacuulalis ______ PR
Diaphania indica ______ M#5207 DR
EXOTIC PUMPKIN CATERPILLAR MOTH
Diaphania infernalis ______ PR
Diaphania infimalis ______ M#5206 PR
Diaphania lualis ______ M#5209 DR
Diaphania lucidalis ______ PR
Diaphania nitidalis (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5202 DR JM PR
PICKLEWORM MOTH
Diaphania quadristigmalis ______ DR
Diaphantania candacalis ______ DR
Diaphantania ceresalis ______ DR PR
Diasemiopsis leodocusalis (phAC) ______ M#5171 JM PR
Diasemiopsis ramburialis ______ PR
Diathrausta yunquealis ______ PR species described in 1940
Epicorsia cerata ______ PR
Epicorsia oedipodalis (phMB) ______ M#4938 DR JMM
Epipagis algarrobolis ______ PR species described in 1940
Epipagis zinghalis ______ JM
Ercta vittata (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5111 DR JM PR
Eulepte anticostalis (phAC) ______ M#5195 PR
Eulepte concordalis ______ PR
Eulepte gastralis (phMB) ______ DR JM
Eulepte inguinalis ______ JM PR
Glyphodes heliconialis ______ JM
Glyphodes sibillalis (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5198 DR JM PR
Glyphodes sibillalis sibillalis ______ DR
MULBERRY LEAFTIER MOTH
Helvibotys carnifex ______ DR
Helvibotys panopealis ______ DR
Herpetogramma agavealis (phMB) ______ DR JM
Herpetogramma antillalis ______ DR
Herpetogramma bipunctalis (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5272 DR JM PR
SOUTHERN BEET WEBWORM MOTH
Herpetogramma fluctuosalis ______ M#5244 PR
GREATER SWEETPOTATO WEBWORM MOTH
Herpetogramma infuscalis ______ JM PR
Herpetogramma phaeopteralis (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5274 DR JM PR
DUSKY HERPETOGRAMMA MOTH
Hileithia ductalis ______ PR
Hileithia magualis ______ M#5187 DR JM
Hileithia terminalis ______ JM
Hoterodes ausonia (phAC) ______ M#5209 PR
Hymenia perspectalis (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5169 DR JM PR (PNE:171)
SPOTTED BEET WEBWORM MOTH
Isocentris amoenalis ______ PR
Lamprosema memoralis ______ PR species described in 1940
Lamprosema oxiperalis ______ JM
Lamprosema pelealis ______ DR
Leucochroma jamaicensis ______ JM
Lineodes fontelia ______ M#5106 JM
EASTERN LINEODES MOTH
Lineodes gracilalis ______ PR
Lineodes metagrammalis ______ PR
Lineodes triangulalis ______ M#5109 PR
Loxomorpha cambogialis ______ M#5154 JM PR
Loxomorpha flavidissimalis ______ M#5155 PR
Lygropia imparalis ______ DR PR
Lygropia joasharia ______ PR species described in 1940
Lygropia joelalis ______ PR species described in 1940
Lygropia tripunctata (phAC) ______ M#5248 DR JM PR
SWEETPOTATO LEAFROLLER MOTH
Mabra russoi _____ DR species described in 1940
Marasmia cochrusalis ______ M#5289 DR PR
MARASMIA MOTH
Marasmia trapezalis ______ M#5288 DR PR
TRAPEZE MOTH
Maruca testulalis ______ M#5288.1 DR PR
Maruca vitrata (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5240.1 DR JM PR
BEAN POD BORER MOTH
Microphysetica hermeasalis (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5121 JM PR
Microthyris anormalis (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5263 DR JM PR
Microthyris prolongalis (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5264 JM PR
Mimorista brunneoflavalis ______ JM
Mimorista diopalis _____ JM
Mimorista jamaicalis ______ JM
Mimorista matronulalis (phMB) ______ JM
Mimorista villicalis ______ JM
Neohelvibotys neohelvialis ______ M#4977 JM species described in 1967
Neoleucinodes elegantalis ______ JM
Neoleucinodes imperialis ______ DR
Neoleucinodes prophetica (phAC) ______ M#5102 PR
Neoleucinodes torvis ______ JM PR species described in 1948
Nomophila nearctica ______ DR
Oenobotys glirialis ______ PR
Oenobotys vinotinctalis (phAC) ______ M#4940 JM PR
WINE-TINTED OENOBOTYS MOTH
Omiodes humeralis ______ DR PR
Omiodes indicata (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5212 DR JM PR
BEAN-LEAF WEBWORM MOTH
Omiodes martyralis ______ PR
Omiodes simialis (phAC) ______ M#5211 DR PR
Omiodes xanthodysana (phMB) ______ JM
Ommatospila descriptalis ______ DR
Ommatospila marcaeusalis ______ DR
Ommatospila narcaeusalis (phMB) ______ M#5294 JM PR
Ostrinia penitalis ______ M#4946 JM
AMERICAN LOTUS BORER MOTH
Palpita flegia (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5217 DR JM PR
SATIN WHITE PALPITA MOTH
Palpita isoscelalis ______ PR
Palpita kimballi ______ DR species described in in 1959
Palpita punctalis ______ JM
Palpita quadristigmalis (phAC) ______ M#5218 DR PR
FOUR-SPOTTED PALPITA MOTH
Palpita viettei ______ DR species described in 1959
Palpusia glaucusalis ______ PR
Pantographa limata (phAC) ______ M#5241 PR (PNE:173)
BASSWORD LEAFROLLER MOTH
Pantographa prorogata ______ DR
Penestola bufalis ______ M#5179 JM PR
BLACK PENESTOLA MOTH
Phaedropsis collustralis (phMB) ______ JM
Phaedropsis domingalis ______ DR
Phaedropsis hecalialis ______ DR
Phaedropsis meropialis ______ JM
Phaedropsis placendalis ______ PR
Phaedropsis principaloides ______ PR
Phaedropsis principialis ______ JM
Phaedropsis stictigramma ______ DR
Phostria originalis ______ PR
Phostria tedea (phMB) ______ M#5265 JM
Pilemia periusalis ______ DR
Pilocrocis hesperialis ______ PR
Pilocrocis hypoleucalis ______ JM
Pilocrocis monothyralis ______ JM
Pilocrocis ramentalis ______ M#5281 PR (PNE:175)
SCRAPED PILOCROCIS MOTH
Pilocrocis reniferalis ______ JM
Pleuroptya silicalis (phAC) ______ M#5243 DR JM PR
HERBIVOROUS PLEUROPTYA MOTH
Polygrammodes elevata (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5230 DR JM PR
RED-SPOTTED SWEETPOTATO MOTH
Polygrammodes ostrealis ______ JM
Portetomorpha xanthialis (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5078 JM PR
Prenesta ignefactalis (phMB) ______ JM (has also been in subfamily SPILOMELINAE)
Prenesta ornamentalis ______ JM (has also been in subfamily SPILOMELINAE)
Prenesta philinoralis ______ JM (has also been in subfamily SPILOMELINAE)
Prenesta prosopealis ______ JM (has also been in subfamily SPILOMELINAE)
Prenesta quadrifenestralis ______ PR (has also been in subfamily SPILOMELINAE)
Proleucinodes impuralis ______ DR
Psara dryalis ______ M#5269 DR JM PR
Psara obscuralis (phAC) ______ M#5268 PR
OBSCURE PSARA MOTH
Psara pertentalis ______ JM PR
Pseudopyrausta acutangulalis ______ JM PR
Pseudopyrausta minima ______ JM
Pycnarmon receptalis ______ PR (has also been in subfamily SPILOMELINAE)
Pyrausta camifex ______ JM
Pyrausta cardinalis ______ M#5076.2 PR
Pyrausta carnifex ______ DR
Pyrausta cerata ______ PR
Pyrausta episcopalis ______ PR
Pyrausta gentillalis ______ PR species described in 1940
Pyrausta gracialis ______ PR
Pyrausta illutalis ______ PR
Pyrausta insignitalis (phMB) ______ M#5044 JM PR
DARK-BANDED PYRAUSTA MOTH
Pyrausta laresalis ______ PR species described in 1940
Pyrausta phoenicealis (phAC) ______ M#5049 JM PR
PHOENICEAN PYRAUSTA MOTH
Pyrausta phyllidalis ______ PR species described in 1940
Pyrausta tyralis (ph) ______ M#5069 DR JM PR
COFFEE-LOVING PYRAUSTA MOTH

Coffee-loving Pyrausta Moth
(copyrighted photo by Lisa Johnson)
Pyrausta votanalis ______ PR
Rhectocraspeda periusalis (phMB) ______ M#5157 JM PR
EGGPLANT WEBWORM MOTH
Salbia cassidalis (phMB) ______ JM PR
Salbia cognatalis ______ PR
Salbia haemorrhoidalis (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5287 DR JM PR
LANTANA LEAFTIER MOTH
Salbia tytiusalis ______ M#5285 JM
Salbia varanalis ______ PR species described in 1940
Samea carettalis ______ JM PR species described in 1940
Samea conjunctalis ______ PR
Samea ecclesialis (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5150 JM PR
ASSEMBLY MOTH
Samea mictalis ______ PR
Samea multuplicalis ______ M#5151 DR PR
SALVINIA STEM-BORER MOTH
Sathria internitalis (phAC) ______ M#5270 DR PR
Sathria onophasalis ______ PR
Sathria simmialis (phMB) ______ JM
Sisyracera contortiliinealis (phMB) ______ JM PR
Sisyracera inabsconsalis ______ PR

Sisyracera subulalis (see Araschnopsis subulalis)
Sparagmia gigantalis ______ PR (has also been in subfamily SPILOMELINAE)
Sparagmia gonoptera (phMB) ______ JM PR (has also been in subfamily SPILOMELINAE)
Spoladea recurvalis (phMB) ______ M#5170 DR JM PR (PNE:171)
HAWAIIAN BEET WEBWORM MOTH
Steniodes declivalis ______ PR
Steniodes gelliasalis ______ JM
Steniodes mendica ______ M#5178 JM
Sufetula sarchari ______ PR (has also been in subfamily SPILOMELINAE)
Syllepis marialis (phMB) ______ M#5283 JM PR
Syllepte belialis ______ JM PR
Syllepte imbroglialis ______ PR
Syllepte opalisans ______ DR
Syllepte patagialis ______ PR
Synclera chlorophasma (phMB) ______ JM
Synclera jarbusalis (phAC) ______ M#5196 DR PR
Synclera traducalis ______ PR
Syngamia florella (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5284 DR JM PR
ORANGE-SPOTTED FLOWER MOTH (or Red-waisted Florella Moth)
Terastia meticulosalis (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5239 DR JM PR
ERYTHRINA BORER MOTH
Tomopteryx pterophoralis ______ DR
Trichaea flammeolalis ______ PR (has also been in subfamily SPILOMELINAE)
Triuncidia eupalusalis (phMB) ______ M#4942 JM PR
Udea albipunctalis ______ PR
Udea rubigalis (ph) ______ M#5079 DR PR (PNE:169)
CELERY LEAFTIER MOTH

Above & below: Celery Leaftier Moth
The upper photo taken in the Dominican Republic.
(photo by Rob Van Brussel)

In the lower photo, with a US dime.
Udea secemalis ______ DR JM PR
Uresiphita reversalis ______ M#4992 JM PR (PNP:63 caterpillar)
GENISTA BROOM MOTH

Host plants for the caterpillars of Uresiphita reversalis include those in the genera Acacia, Baptisia, Genista, and Sophora.
Their long hairs protect them from predation.
Zenamorpha discophoralis (phMB) ______ JM

Family CRAMBIDAE, Subfamily SCHOENOBIINAE: DONACAULAS & allies

Very similar to Grass-veneers, the Donacaulas typically have pointier wings and are generally a more uniformly brownish orange.
Adults regularly visit lights.
Carectocultus perstrialis ______ DR
Eupela leucatea ______ PR

Family CRAMBIDAE (or PYRALIDAE), Subfamily SCOPARIINAE: MOSS-EATING CRAMBIDS

Those in SCOPARIINAE are small, narrowly deltoid moths with monochromatic, pointed wings.
Indistinct dark tufts of scales are present on the forewing. They are absent in other CRAMBIDS.
Adults frequently visit lights.
Elusia enalis ______ PR species described in 1940
Himantoides perkinsae ______ JM
Himantoides undata ______ JM
Scoparia atricuprea ______ JM

Family PYRALIDAE: the SNOUT MOTHS

Subfamily CHRYSAUGINAE
Bonchis munitalis (phAC) ______ M#5564 DR PR
Caphys bilineata ______ PR
Carcha hersilialis ______ DR JM PR
Epitamyra albomaculalis ______ PR
Epitamyra thermalis ______ JM
Galasa rubidana ______ JM
Megacaphys titana (phMB) ______ JM
Murgisca cervinalis ______ DR
Murgisca subductellus ______ PR
Parachma ochracealis ______ PR
Parachmidia fervidalis ______ DR JM
Salobrena recurvata ______ JM PR
Salobrena vacuana ______ M#5560.1 JM
Streptopalpia minusculalis ______ PR

Family PYRALIDAE, Subfamily EPIPASCHILINAE
Dasyvesica lophotalis ______ JM
Deuterollyta claudalis ______ JM
Deuterollyta majuscula (phAC) ______ M#5582 JM PR
Deuteroliyta ragonoti ______ DR PR
Jocara fragilis ______ DR PR
Macalla phaeobasalis (phMB) ______ M#5576 JM
Macalla thyrsisalis ______ DR PR
Phidotricha insularella ______ PR
Pococera polialis ______ JM
Pococera scabridella ______ PR
Stericta alnotha (sedis) ______ PR
Tallula atramentalis ______ M#5590 JM PR
Tineopaschia minuta ______ JM

Family PYRALIDAE, Subfamily GALLERIINAE
Achroia grisella ______ M#5623 PR
LESSER WAX MOTH
Corcyra cephalonia ______ M#5634 DR PR
RICE MOTH
Epimorius testaceellus ______ M#5633.2 JM
BROMELIAD POD BORER MOTH
Galleria mellonella (phAC) ______ M#5622 DR JM species described by Linnaeus in 1758
GREATER WAX MOTH
Pogrima palmasalis ______ PR species described in 1940

Family PYRALIDAE, Subfamily PHYCITINAE
Amegarthria cervicalis ______ DR
Amyelois transitella ______ M#5724 DR
NAVEL ORANGEWORM MOTH
Anabasis ochrodesma ______ M#5704 DR JM PR
CASSIA WEBWORM MOTH
Anadelosemia texanella ______ DR PR
Ancylostomia stercorea (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#5741 DR JM
Anegcephalesis arctella ______ DR
Anypsipyla univitella ______ M#5705.1 DR JM
Apomyelois decolor ______ PR
Apomyelois muriscis ______ PR
Aptunga culmenicola ______ DR species described in 1996
Aptunga setadebilia ______ DR species described in 1996
Aptunga vega ______ DR species described in 1996
Australephestiodes stictellus ______ M#6004.1 DR PR
Bema neuricella ______ DR
Cabotia bonholi ______ JM
Cactoblastis cactorum ______ M#5970.1 DR PR
CACTUS MOTH
Cadra cautella ______ M#6022 PR
ALMOND MOTH
Caristanius pellucidella ______ DR JM PR
Caristanius tripartitus ______ DR species described in 1996
Caudellia pilosa ______ DR species described in 1996
Chararica bicolorella ______ M#5714 PR
Chararica circumperfecta ______ DR species described in 1996
Coptarthria dasypyga ______ DR
Crocidomera fissuralis ______ DR PR
Crocidomera imitata ______ M#5706 DR species described in 1990
Crocidomera turbidella ______ JM PR
Cryptobables sp. ______ DR
Dasypyga independencia ______ DR species described in 1996
Davara caricae ______ M#5732 DR
PAPAYA WEBWORM MOTH
Davara interjecta ______ DR species described in 1956
Davara rufulella ______ DR PR
Dioryctria amatella ______ M#5853 DR
SOUTHERN PINECONEWORM MOTH
Dioryctria dominguensis ______ DR species described in 1996
Dioryctria postmajorella ______ DR species described in 1996
Ectomyelois ceratoniae ______ M#5723 JM PR
LOCUST BEAN MOTH
Ectomyelois decolor ______ M#5722 DR JM
CARIBBEAN DRIED FRUIT MOTH
Ectomyelois muriscis ______ DR
Elasmopalpus lignosellus (phMB) ______ M#5896 DR JM PR
LESSER CORNSTALK BORER MOTH
Ephestia cautella ______ DR
Ephestia elutella ______ DR
Ephestia kuehniella ______ M#6020 DR JM
MEDITERRANEAN FLOUR MOTH
Ephestiodes stictella ______ JM
Erelieva quantulella ______ DR
Etiella zinckenella (phMB) ______ M#5744 DR JM PR
GOLD-BANDED ETIELLA MOTH
Fundella argentina ______ M#5726 DR JM
Fundella ignobilis ______ M#5726.1 DR species described in 1945
Fundella pellucens ______ M#5725 DR PR
CARIBBEAN PODBORER MOTH
Genopaschia protomis ______ PR
Hemiptiloceroides deltus ______ DR species described in 1993
Homalopalpia dalera ______ PR
Homoeosoma electella ______ M#5935 DR
SUNFLOWER MOTH
Hypargyria slosonella ______ DR
Hypochalcia cervinistrigalis ______ DR
Hypsipyla grandella ______ M#5705 DR JM PR
MAHOGANY SHOOTBORER MOTH
Laetilia portoricensis ______ PR
Lascelina pedernalensis ______ DR species described in 1996
Lipographis subosseella ______DR
Moodna antilleana ______ DR species described in 1996
Moodnopsis portoricensis ______ DR PR species described in 1956
Myelois furvidorsella ______ PR
Nefundella munroei ______ DR species described in 2003
Nonia exiguella ______ JM
Olyca phryganoides ______ DR
Oncolabis anticella ______ DR PR
Oryctometopia fossulatella ______ DR
Ozamia lucidalis ______ M#5988 DR JM
Ozamia plagata ______ DR species described in 1996
Peadus burdettellus ______ DR
Phestinia costella ______ JM
Phycitodes olivaceella ______ DR
Plodia interpunctella ______ M#6019 DR JM PR
INDIAN MEAL MOTH
Salebria famula ______ PR
Salebria infusella ______ DR
Sarasota furculella ______ PR
Stylopalpia lunigerella ______ M#5820.1 DR JM PR
Ufa rubedinella (phMB) ______ M#5895 DR JM PR
Unadilla maturella ______ M#5947 PR
Varneria albiornatella ______ DR species described in 1996
Zamagiria laidion ______ DR
Zamagiria rawlinsi ______ DR species described in 1996

Family PYRALIDAE, Subfamily PYRALINAE
Hypsopygia nostralis ______ PR
Luma albifascialis ______ JM
Mapeta xanthomelas (phMB) ______ JM
Megastes brunnealis (phMB) ______ JM
Micromastra isoldalis ______ PR species described in 1940
Nomophila nearctica (phMB) ______ M#5156 JM (PNE:171)
LUCERNE MOTH
Ocrasa nostralis (phAC) ______ M#5531 PR
SOUTHERN HAYWORM MOTH
Pseudasopia intermedialis ______ DR
Pyralis manihotalis ______ M#5515 DR PR
TROPICAL MEAL MOTH

Family LIMACODIDAE (or EUCLIDAE):

Called SLUGMOTHS because the caterpillars resemble slugs, or CUPMOTHS because of the shape of the cocoons. Mostly tropical, but occur worldwide, with about 1,000 described species.

The LIMACODIDAE are small, chunky moths that hold their rounded wings in a tent-like position when at rest.
Some curl their abdomen upward above the level of the wings.
The larvae of many species are bizarre in form and color and often have stinging hares.
Adults are strictly nocturnal and visit lights in small numbers.
Alarodia nana ______ JM
Heuretes picticornis ______ PR

Family DALCERIDAE

The larvae of DALCERIDAE are rather slug-like similar to those of the closely related LIMACODIDAE (above).

The DALCERIDAE moths are found in the Neotropics.
Acraga ciliata ______ JM

Family THYRIDIDAE: the PICTURE-WINGED LEAFMOTHS
Banisia myrsusalis ______ H#6086 PR
SAPODILLA BORER MOTH
Rhodoneura sp. ______ PR
Zeuzerodes maculata ______ PR

Family HYBLAEIDAE: the TEAK MOTHS
Hyblaea puera (phMB) ______ M#6088 JM PR
TEAK DEFOLIATOR MOTH

Family PTEROPHORIDAE: the PLUME MOTHS

Those in PTEROPHORIDAE are spindly-legged moths that have a characteristic "airplane" posture when at rest.
A notch at the tip of the forewing divides the wing into two lobes.
Forewing patterns are often very similar and so species can sometimes be difficult to tell apart.
Most are nocturnal and often visit lights in small numbers. Sometimes they can be found resting on walls or among plants in the daytime.
Adaina bipunctatus ______ M#6155 PR
Adaina ipomoeae ______ M#6160 PR
AMBROSIA PLUME MOTH
Adaina participata ______ PR
Adaina praeusta ______ PR
Adaina thomae ______ M#6156.1 DR
Exelastis montischristi ______ DR JM
Exelastis pumilio ______ M#6099.1 JM PR
Geina integumentum ______ PR species described in 2006
Geina periscelidactylus (phAC) ______ M#6091 PR
GRAPE PLUME MOTH
Hellinsia inquinatus ______ M#6186 PR (PNE:129)
BLACK-MARKED PLUME MOTH
Hellinsia paleaceus ______ M#6207 PR
Hellinsia unicolor (phAC) ______ M#6226 PR
Lantanophaga pusillidactylus ______ M#6119 PR
LANTANA PLUME MOTH
Leioptilus agraphodactylus ______ DR
Leioptilus inquinatus ______ DR
Lioptilodes albistriolatus ______ M#6120 PR
Megalorrhipida leucodactylus ______ M#6104 PR
Michaelophorus hodgesi ______ PR species described in 1999
Michaelophorus margaritae ______ PR species described in 2006
Ochyrotica fasciata ______ PR
Oidaematophorus ossipellis ______ DR
Postplatyptilia caribica ______ PR species described in 2006
Sphenarches caffer ______ PR
Stenoptilodes brevipennis ______ M#6122 PR

Family HEDYLIDAE: the "AMERICAN MOTH BUTTERFLIES"

The HEDYLIDAE is an extant sister group of the butterfly superfamilies PAPILIONOIDES (the SWALLOWTAILS) and HESPERIOIDES (the SKIPPERS).
They have previously been treated as a tribe of GEOMETRIDAE, in the subfamily OENOCHROMINAE.
They have also been thought to be an unrecognized group of butterflies, and in 2005 a study actually placed them with the butterflies based upon molecular data.

The 35 currently recognized species in HEDYLIDAE, all in the genus Macrosoma, are entirely Neotropical, ranging from central Mexico south to southwestern Brazil. In the Caribbean region, they occur in Jamaica, Cuba, and Trinidad.
Macrosoma stabilinota ______ JM species described in 1932


Family GEOMETRIDAE, larva are: LOOPERS, INCHWORMS, SPANWORMS

Adult GEOMETER MOTHS are from small to large, but mostly medium-sized.
They generally have elongated bodies with wide wings, and many are stout. Those wings, that are delicate, are open when the moth is sitting.
GEOMETER MOTHS come in a variety of colors, especially cryptic colors such as creamy-white, brown, and green.
Most are nocturnal, but diurnal species can be very common.

The GEOMETRIDAE is a cosmopolitan family and one of the three largest among the LEPIDOPTERA. It is estimated that as many as at least 25,000, up to 35,000 species have been described.

The caterpillars are called LOOPERS, or INCHWORMS for the way they move.

Subfamily OENOCHROMINAE in the Family GEOMETRIDAE
Alomodes terraria ______ H#6260 DR PR
Ametris nitrocris (phMB) ______ H#6259 GD JM PR
SEAGRAPE SPANWORM MOTH
Ergavia subrufa (phMB) ______ JM
Leptocnenopsis tatochorida ______ GD
Zanclopteryx uniferata (phMB) ______ JM

Subfamily ENNOMINAE in the Family GEOMETRIDAE
Arilophia rawlinsi ______ DR species described in 1990
Boarmia hilararia ______ PR
Cyclomia mopsaria ______ DR GD PR
Cyclomia mopsaria mopsaria ______ DR
Digrammia heliothidata ______ DR
Drepanodes ephyrata ______ GD
Drepanodes infensata ______ PR
Epimecis detexta (phMB) ______ M#6604 DR GD JM
Epimecis detexta detexta ______ subspecies on Martinique
Epimecis detexta leduchatae ______ GD subspecies on Guadeloupe
AVOCADO SPANWORM MOTH
Epimecis hortaria (ph) (phAC) ______ M#6599 DR PR (PNE:219)
TULIP-TREE BEAUTY MOTH

Tulip-tree Beauty
(photo courtesy of Claudine Iannucci)
Epimecis matronaria ______ M#6601 DR
Epimecis scolopaiae (phMB) ______ DR JM
Epimecis scolopaiae scolopaiae ______ DR
Epimecis scolopaiae transitaria ______ DR
Erastria decrepitaria (phMB) ______ M#6702 DR GD JM PR SV also Martinique
Erastria descrepitaria descrepitaria ______ DR

The sexes of Erastria decrepitaria are quite different. Males are greenish. Females are yellow. In females. the post medial lines are weaker than in the males.

Outside the Caribbean, Erastria decrepitaria has been found in Honduras and Panama, and in French Guiana, Venezuela, and Brazil.
Erosina hyberniata (phMB) ______ GD JM
Euchlaena amoenaria ______ DR
Euchlaena amoenaria astylusaria ______ DR
Hydatoscia ategua (phMB) ______ JM PR species described in 1982
Iridopsis delicata ______ PR
Iridopsis idonearia ______ DR PR
Iridopsis idonearia idonearia ______ DR
Iridopsis monticola ______ DR species described in 1966
Iridopsis vicaria (phMB) ______ JM
Leuciris mysteriotis ______ PR
Leucula simplicaria ______ PR
Macaria aemulataria (phAC) ______ M#6326 PR (PNE:211)
COMMON ANGLE MOTH
Macaria abydata ______ DR
Macaria everiata (phMB) ______ DR JM
Macaria inoptata ______ DR
Macaria nervata ______ JM
Macaria paleolata ______ DR
Macrosema immaculata ______ DR GD and Dominica

The type specimen for Macrosema immaculata was taken on Hispaniola. The species described in 1897.
Melanchroia chephise (ph) (phMB) ______ M#6616 CY JM PR
WHITE-TIPPED BLACK MOTH

Melanchroia chephise is a small black moth with narrow white wingtips. In the Cayman Islands, its looper caterpillars are plentiful on Phyllanthus angustifolius, the Duppy Bush.

White-tipped Black Moth
Melanchroia venata ______ JM species described in 1961
Melanolophia mutabilis (phMB) ______ JM
Microsema immaculata ______ DR
Moschleria hulstii ______ PR
Nepheloleuca complicata (ph) ______ DR PR SL

Nepheloleuca complicata
Nepheloleuca floridata ______ DR
Nepheloleuca illiturata ______ PR
Nepheloleuca politia (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#6985 JM PR
Numia terebintharia ______ M#6699 DR JM PR
Oenoptila nigrilineata (phMB) ______ JM
Oxydia olivacea ______ JM
Oxydia vesulia (phAC) (phMB) ______ M#6967 DR JM PR
SPURGE SPANWORM MOTH
Patalene ephyrata ______ PR
Patalene epionata ______ M#6975 DR JM PR
Patalene falcularia ______ JM
Patalene nicoaria ______ M#6976 DR
Patalene nutriaria ______ DR JM
Patalene olyzonaria (phAC) ______ M#6974 PR
JUNIPER GEOMETER MOTH
Patalene sordida ______ JM
Perissopteryx ochrilinea (phMB) ______ JM
Pero bicolor (phMB) ______ JM
Pero nerisaria ______ M#6762 DR PR
Pero rectisectaria ______ PR
Pero rica ______ DR species described in 1987
Pero sella ______ DR species described in 1987
Pero variaria (phMB) ______ JM
Phrygionis argentata (phMB) ______ JM
Phrygionis auriferaria (phAC) ______ M#6670 PR
GOLDEN-WINGED PALYAS MOTH
Phrygionis bicornis ______ DR species described in 1994
Phrygionis ferreus ______ DR species described in 1994
Phrygionis moeschleri ______ PR
Phrygionis paradoxata (phAC) ______ M#6671 JM PR
JEWELED SATYR MOTH
Phrygionis platinata ______ JM
Phrygionis rawlinsi ______ DR species described in 1994
Phrygionis sumptuosaria ______ JM
Prochoerodes tetragonata ______ JM
Prochoerodes transtincta (phMB) ______ JM
Psamatodes abydata (phAC) ______ M#6332 JM PR
DOT-LINED ANGLED MOTH
Psamatodes (formerly Macaria) diffusata ______ PR
Psamatodes (formerly Macaria) doriteata ______ JM
Psamatodes everiata ______ M#6333 JM DR PR
Psamatodes nicetaria ______ JM PR
Psamatodes trientata ______ M#6332.1 PR
Pyrinia fusilineata ______ DR
Renia fraternalis ______ DR
Sabulodes aegrotata (phAC) ______ M#6995 PR
Sabulodes caberata ______ PR
Sabulodes exhonorata ______ PR
Sabulodes mucronis (phMB) ______ JM
Sabulodes subopalaria ______ DR
Semiothisa cellulata ______ PR
Semiothisa cosmiata ______ DR
Semiothisa increta ______ DR PR
Semiothisa paleolata ______ JM DR PR
Semiothisa regulata ______ PR
Semiothisa virginaria ______ PR
Sericoptera flavifimbria (phMB) ______ JM
Sericoptera virginaria ______ M#6994 PR
Serraca momaria ______ PR
Sphacelods haitiaria ______ DR
Sphacelodes vulneraria (phMB) ______ M#6800 JM PR
Thyrinteina arnobia ______ M#6772 PR
Thyrinteina unicornis (phMB) ______ JM species described in 1961
Thysanopyga abdominaria ______ DR
Thysanopyga amarantha ______ PR
Thysanopyga apicitruncaria ______ PR
Thysanopyga nicetaria (phMB) ______ DR
Thysanopyga proditata ______ DR

Subfamily GEOMETRINAE in the Family GEOMETRIDAE: EMERALDS

The GEOMETRINAE are predominantly green geometers that rest on flat, widely spread wings.
A few species also have brown forms.
The males of some species have bipectinate antennae.
All are nocturnal and come to lights in small numbers.
Chloropteryx paularia (phMB) ______ M#7077 JM PR
Dichorda rhodocephala (phMB) ______ JM
Eueana niveociliaria (phMB) ______ M#7070 JM
Hydata insatisfacta (phAC) ______ PR species described in 1988
Oospila confundaria (phAC) (phMB) ______ JM PR
Oospila decoloraria ______ JM
Phrudocenta centrifugaria ______ M#7051 JM PR
Phrudocenta kinstonensis (phMB) ______ JM
Racheospila isolata ______ PR
Racheospila merlinaria ______ PR species described in 1940
Racheospila sanctaecrucis ______ PR
Synchlora herbaria ______ M#7061 DR
Synchlora herbaria herbaria ______ DR
Synchlora cupedinaria ______ M#7064 PR SL

Synchlora cupedinaria
Synchlora ephippiaria (phMB) ______ JM
Synchlora frondaria (phMB) ______ H#7059 JM PR (PNE:205)
SOUTHERN EMERALD MOTH
Synchlora gerularia ______ H#7060.1 PR
Synchlora herbaria (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#7061 JM DR PR
Synchlora xysteria (phAC) ______ H#7060 PR

Subfamily LARENTIINAE in the Family GEOMETRIDAE: CARPETS and PUGS

The LARENTIINAE is a large group of flimsy, broad-winged moths.
Most adopt a flat posture when resting, placing themselves on tree trunks and branches where they can be very cryptic and hard to find.
Most are woodland species, though some can be found in gardens, even in urban areas.
The group is mostly nocturnal and comes freely to lights, though some are diurnal and can be found along woodland trails or around wet areas.
Cidaria chloronotata ______ PR
Disclisioprocta stellata (phMB) ______ H#7417 DR JM PR
SOMBER CARPET MOTH
Dyspteris abortivaria (ph) ______ H#7648 JM (PNE:199)
THE BAD-WING

The Bad-wing
Dyspteris trichophora ______ JM species described in 1988
Eois decursaria ______ JM
Eois snellenaria ______ JM PR
Eois tessellata ______ JM
Eois trinotata ______ JM
Euphyia floridata ______ JM
Euphyia moeraria ______ PR
Euphyia perturbata (phMB) ______ DR JM PR
Euphyia vinaceata ______ PR
Eupithecia satyrata (phAC) ______ H#7520 PR
Eupithecia succernata (phMB) ______ JM
Eupithecia sucidata ______ JM
Graphidipus aureocapitaria ______ PR
Hammaptera parinotata ______ H#7314 JM
Obila catocalaria ______ JM
Obila defensata ______ PR
Obila pannosata ______ DR JM
Obila praecurraria ______ PR
Pterocypha defensata ______ PR
Pterocypha floridata (phMB) ______ DR
Spargania dulciferata ______ JM
Triphosa affirmata (phMB) ______ H#7286 DR JM
Xanthorhoe divisata ______ DR

Subfamily STERRHINAE in the Family GEOMETRIDAE
Acratodes intamiataria ______ PR
Acratodes oslinaria ______ PR species described in 1940
Acratodes phakellurata (phMB) ______ DR JM
Acratodes praepeditaria ______ PR
Acratodes virgota ______ PR
Cyclophora caducaria (phMB) ______ JM
Cyclophora conferta (phMB) ______ JM
Cyclophora lichenea (phMB) ______ JM
Cyclophora nanaria (phMB) ______ H#7140 DR JM
Cyclophora ordinata (phMB) ______ JM
Cyclophora subpalliida (phMB) ______ JM
Cyclophora urcearia (phMB) ______ JM
Euacidalia externata ______ DR
Euacidalia orbelia (phMB) ______ JM
Eumacrodes yponomeutaria ______ H#7086 DR
Idaea curvicauda ______ PR species described in 1940
Idaea fernaria ______ PR species described in 1940
Idaea monata ______ PR species described in 1947
Idaea placitaria ______ PR species described in 1940
Leptostales crossii (phAC) ______ H#7174 PR
CROSS' WAVE MOTH
Leptostales noctuata ______ DR
Leptostales oblinataria (phMB) ______ H#7178 JM PR
Leptostales pannaria (phAC) ______ H#7173 PR
PANNARIA WAVE MOTH
Leptostales phorcaria (phMB) ______ DR JM PR
Leptostales roseoliva (phMB) ______ JM
Leptostales virgota (phMB) ______ JM
Lobocleta dativaria ______ DR PR species described in 1940
Lobocleta inermaria ______ DR
Lobocleta maricaria ______ PR species described in 1940
Lobocleta monogrammata ______ DR PR
Loboclata mutuataria ______ PR
Lobocleta nymphidiata ______ DR
Lobocleta perditaria ______ DR PR
Lobocleta tenellata (phMB) ______ JM PR
Pleuroprucha asthenaria (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#7133 JM PR
ASTHENE WAVE MOTH
Pleuroprucha molitaria ______ PR
Pleuroprucha pyrrhularia ______ PR
Pleuroprucha rudimentaria ______ DR
Pleuroprucha yunkeria ______ PR species described in 1940
Pseudasellodes fenestraria ______ PR
Ptychamalia botydata ______ DR
Ptychamalia perlata ______ PR
Scelolophia delectabilaria ______ PR
Scelolophia randaria ______ PR species described in 1940
Scelolophia terminata ______ PR
Scopula apparitania ______ H#7153 JM
Scopula canularia ______ PR
Scopula innominata ______ PR species described in 1940
Scopula laresaria ______ PR species described in 1940
Scopula micrata ______ DR
Scopula subquadrata ______ JM PR
Scopula umbilicata (phMB) ______ H#7158 JM PR
Semaeopus argocosma (phMB) ______ JM
Semaeopus caecaria ______ H#7144 PR
Semaeopus callichroa (phMB) ______ JM
Semaeopus castaria (phMB) ______ DR JM
Semaeopus decalvaria (phMB) ______ JM
Semaeopus indignaria (phMB) ______ DR JM
Semaeopus malefidaria ______ PR
Semaeopus perletaria ______ PR
Sterrrha curvicauda ______ DR species described in 1940
Tricentrogyna floridora ______ PR species described in 1940
Tricentrogyna rubripicta (phMB) ______ JM
Tricentrogyna vinacea (phMB) ______ PR

Family SATURNIIDAE: GIANT SILKWORM MOTHS
Hispaniodirphia lemaireiana ______ DR species described in 2006 (in HEMILEUCINAE)
Hispaniodirphia plana ______ DR (in HEMILEUCINAE)
Rothschildia erycina luciana ______ SL SV and Martinique, where uncommon (in SATURNIINAE)
ROTHCHILD'S SILK MOTH
Samia cynthia ______ JM
AILANTHUS SILKWORM MOTH

Samia cynthia is an Asian species that has been introduced in North America.
In Jamaica, it has either been introduced or has occurred as a stray from North America.

Family SPHINGIDAE: SPHINX MOTHS, including HAWK MOTHS or "HUMMINGBIRD MOTHS''

On Hispaniola, there are 47 species in the SPHINGIDAE family, with 5 of them endemic to the island.

Moths in the family SPHINGIDAE are generally very strong flyers. They are robust, medium-sized to large moths.
Most have long pointed wings and a long tapering abdomen.
Adults feed on nectar from tubular flowers, using their well-developed and usually very long proboscis.
Most are nocturnal, and are attracted to lights.

Included in this group are some in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE (those in the genera including Erinnyis, Eumorpha, Hyles, Pseudosphinx, & Xylophanes and others noted below).
Those moths are similar in shape and habit to the larger sphinx moths, but on the whole, they are more colorful and varied.
Some are crepuscular and feed on flowers at dusk. A few species are strictly diurnal, flitting among patches of flowers in fields and gardens on sunny afternoons.
All of the moths in MACROGLOSSINAE, except for the clearwings, may come to lights.
Adhaemarius daphne cubanus ______

Adhaemarius daphne cubanus occurs in Cuba.
Adhaemarius gannascus (phMB) ______ JM (in the subfamily SPHINGINAE)

Aellopos species (below) are small and very fast flying moths that are most often seen in the early morning or in the evening taking nectar or drinking at a body of water.
Aellopos blaini (phMB) ______ JM PR
Aellopos clavipes ______ H#7848 JM (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
CLAVIPES SPHINX MOTH
Aellopos fadus (phMB) ______ H#7850 DR GD JM PR (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
FADUS SPHINX MOTH

Aellopos fadus can be found widely across the Neotropics. In the US, it has been known to occur in Florida, Texas, Arkansas, and as far afield as in Washington State.
Aellopos tantalus (ph) (phMB) ______ H#7847 CY DR GD JM PR SV species described by Linnaeus in 1758 (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
TANTALUS SPHINX MOTH (or TANTALUS HUMMINGBIRD HAWKMOTH)

Aellopos tantalus has a wide distribution across the Neotropics.

Similar to a small hummingbird, Aellopos tantalus is a mostly brown-winged moth with a conspicuous silvery white band on the dorsal surface of its lower back. The moth hovers, like a hummingbird, with its wings a blur as it probes for nectar with its long proboscis.

Aellopos tantalus is similar to Aellopos fadus (above) and Aellopos titan (below), but it is smaller and with only 3 white triangular marks in a line on the forewing and a fourth above the outermost mark.

A Tantalus Sphinx Moth, appearing and acting
like a small hummingbird.
We saw this fast, little creature during
the FONT tour in the Cayman Islands in December 2010.
(photo by Femia Cools, courtesy of Michiel Koomen)
Aellopos titan ______ H#7849 PR (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSIANE)
Aellopos titan cubana ______ subspecies in Cuba
TITAN SPHINX MOTH

Aellopos titan is a common species in much of its range, which includes West Indian islands and from Mexico south into much of South America.
It is a strong flier, and has occurred across the eastern US and even into southern Canada. Breeding has been confirmed in south Texas.
Agrius cingulata (ph) (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#7771 DR GD JM PR SL SV (PNE:257) (in the subfamily SPHINGINAE)
PINK-SPOTTED SPHINX MOTH (or PINK-SPOTTED HAWKMOTH)

Agrius cingulata is primarily Neotropical in its distribution. But it also breeds in the US across southern states, and strays have occurred as far north as eastern Canada and even in western Europe.

Pink-spotted Sphinx Moth
Amphonyx kofleri _____ DR species described in 2006 (in the subfamily SPHINGINAE)
Amphonyx rivularis ______ DR (in the subfamily SPHINGINAE)
Callionima calliomenae ______ DR
Callionima denticulata ______ DR
Callionima falcifera ______ H#7845 DR JM (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
FALCIFERA SPHINX MOTH

In addition to being in the West Indies, Callionima falcifera occurs in Central America, south to central South America, Mexico, and North America.
It was originally described in the West Indies in the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas.
Callionima inuus ______ DR (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)

Callionima inuus occurs throughout the Neotropics.
Cautethia carsusi ______ DR species described in 2001
Cautethia grotei (phMB) ______ H#7867 JM (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
Cautethia grotei grotei ______ DR
GROTE'S SPHINX MOTH
Cautethia noctuiformis ______ DR PR (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
Cautethia noctuiformis noctuiformis ______ DR
Ceratomia catalpae (phAC) ______ H#7789 PR (PNE:259) (W:251)
CATALPA SPHINX MOTH
Cocytius antaeus (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#7772 DR GD JM PR (W:255) (in the subfamily SPHINGINAE)
GIANT SPHINX MOTH

There are populations of Cocytius antaeus in the West Indies, but no subspecies. It breeds in southern Florida, and has strayed into northern Florida, southern Texas, Arizona, Mississippi.
Cocytius duponchei (phMB) ______ H#7773 DR GD JM SV (in the subfamily SPHINGINAE)
DUPONCHEL'S SPHINX MOTH

The taxonomic classification of Cocytius duponchei is under review and may change to Amphonyx.
In addition to being in the West Indies, it ranges throughout much of northern and central South America, and in Central America. There are no subspecies.
It is very common in Jamaica. It has been found as a stray in Florida and Texas.
Enyo lugubris (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#7851 DR GD JM PR SV species described by Linnaeus in 1771 (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
Enyo lugubris lugubris ______ DR
MOURNFUL SPHINX MOTH

Enyo lugubris is a widespread species across Central America and South America, in addition to being in the West Indies.
Enyo ocypete (phMB) ______ H#7852 DR GD JM species described by Linnaeus in 1771 (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)

Enyo ocypete is a widespread species across most of the Neotropics, and has occurred as a stray as far north as southern Florida.
Erinnyis alope (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#7832 DR GD JM PR SV (W:278) (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
Erinnyis alope alope ______ DR
ALOPE SPHINX MOTH

Erinnyis alope occurs on Caribbean islands in addition to Central America and South America. In the US, it is found in southern states where In Florida it is a regular breeder. Strays have occurred as far north in North America as Massachusetts and Saskatchewan.
Erinnyis crameri (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#7836 DR GD JM PR SV (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
CRAMER'S SPHINX MOTH

Erinnyis crameri occurs occasionally in the West Indies, and in the southern US, in addition ranging throughout the Neotropics from Mexico to southern Brazil.
Erinnyis domingonis (phMB) ______ DR JM (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
Erinnyis ello (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#7834 DR GD JM PR SV (W:266) species described by Linnaeus in 1758 (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
Erinnyis ello ello ______ DR
ELLO SPHINX MOTH

Erinnyis ello occurs from the southern US south to northern Argentina. In North America it has appeared as far north as New England, the area of the Great Lakes, and in Quebec, Canada.
Erinnyis fasciatus ______ PR (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
Erinnyis guttularis (phMB) ______ H#7839 DR JM (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
Erinnyis lassauxii (phMB) ______ H#7833 DR GD JM PR SV (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
LASSAUX'S SPHINX MOTH

Erinnyis lassauxii occurs on Caribbean islands, as well as from Mexico to northern Argentina. In the US, it has occurred in Texas, and possibly in Florida and Arizona.
Erinnyis obscura (phMB) ______ H#7837 DR GD JM PR SV (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
OBSCURE SPHINX MOTH

Erinnyis obscura occurs in the Neotropics, and it is also found commonly further north in the southern states of the US.
Erinnyis oenotrus (phMB) ______ H#7835 DR GD JM PR (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
OLEANDER SPHINX MOTH

Erinnyis oenotrus occurs in the West Indies, and from Mexico south to northern Argentina. It strays to the southern US, in Florida and Texas.
Eumorpha fasciatus (ph) (phMB) ______ H#7865 DR GD JM (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
Eumorpha fasciatus fasciatus ______ DR GD JM
BANDED SPHINX MOTH

Eumorpha fasciatus fasciatus occurs on Caribbean islands, and also across the Neotropics from Mexico to Argentina.
In the US, it breeds in coastal areas from the Carolinas and Florida west to eastern Texas, and northwards towards Missouri.

A caterpillar of Eumorpha fasciatus
(photo by Rob van Brussel)
Eumorpha labruscae (ph) (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#7866 DR GD JM PR SV species described by Linnaeus in 1758 (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSIANE)
Eumorpha labruscae labruscae ______ DR GD JM PR SV
GAUDY SPHINX MOTH

Eumorpha labruscae labruscae occurs on Caribbean islands, and from Mexico to Argentina. In the Nearctic region, it breeds in Florida, and surprisingly larvae has even been found as far north as Saskatchewan in Canada. Adult moths have been found in a number of US states from Texas to Michigan.

Eumorpha labruscae can grow up to the size of a human hand. This migrating moth is commonly found in the West Indies and in Central and South America. It occasionally occurs in the United States and as far north as Canada.

It is known as the Gaudy Sphinx Moth due to its remarkable markings and the amazing array of colors on its wings.
It has a combination of green, blue, red, and yellow on the wings which explains the flamboyant common name.

Above & below: Two photographs of a Gaudy Sphinx Moth,
below with the colorful wings open
(photos by Helene Kyrk, in the West Indies )
Eumorpha obliquus ______ GD
Eumorpha obliquus guadelupensis ______ GD subspecies described in 1974
Eumorpha satellitia (phMB) ______ H#7858 JM species described by Linnaeus in 1771 (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
SATELLITE SPHINX MOTH
Eumorpha strenua ______ DR (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
Eumorpha vitis (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#7864 DR GD JM PR SL SV species described by Linnaeus in 1758 (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
Eumorpha vitis vitis ______ DR PR subspecies in the Neotropics from Mexico to Argentina, also breeding in southern Florida and much of Texas, with strays reaching Mississippi, Louisiana, Arizona, and even Massachusetts
Eumorpha vitis fuscatus ______ GD SL SV subspecies on the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent
Eumorpha vitis hesperidum ______ JM subspecies on Jamaica
VINE SPHINX MOTH
Eupyrrhoglossum sagra ______ DR

Eupyrrhoglossum sagra occurs the Neotropics including on Caribbean islands, among them Cuba.
It has recently been found breeding in the US in Florida.
Himantoides perkinsae ______ JM
Himantoides undata ______ JM
Hyles lineata (ph) (phMB) ______ H#7894 DR GD JM PR (PNE:269) (W:275) (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
WHITE-LINED SPHINX MOTH

Above & below: Hyles lineata, the White-lined Sphinx,
the moth and the caterpillar
Both photographs during a FONT tour.
(photos by Doris Potter)
Isognathus rimosa (phMB) ______ H#7831 DR JM PR (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
Isognathus rimosa molitor ______ DR
Madoryx oiclus (phAC) (phMB) ______ GD JM PR SV (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
Madoryx oiclus jamicensis ______ JM

Madoryx oiclus occurs widely across the Neotropics.
Manduca afflicta afflicta ______ DR (in the subfamily SPHINGINAE)
Manduca brontes (phMB) ______ H#7780 DR JM PR (in the subfamily SPHINGINAE)
Manduca brontes haitiensis ______ DR
CUBAN SPHINX MOTH
Manduca caribbea ______ DR species described in 1952 (in the subfamily SPHINGINAE)
Manduca florestan (phAC) ______ H#7782 PR (in the subfamily SPHINGINAE)
Manduca johanni _____ DR
Manduca quinquemaculatus ______ H#7776 DR (in the subfamily SPHINGINAE)
FIVE-SPOTTED HAWK MOTH
Manduca rustica (ph) (phMB) ______ H#7778 DR JM PR SL SV (PNE:259) (W:249) (in the subfamily SPHINGINAE)
Manduca rustica cubana ______ subspecies in Cuba
Manduca rustica dominicana ______ DR subspecies on Hispaniola
Manduca rustica harterti ______ GD SL SV subspecies in the Lesser Antilles
RUSTIC SPHINX MOTH

Rustic Sphinx Moth
Manduca sexta (ph) (phMB) ______ H#7775 DR GD JM PR SL SV (PNE:257) (W:248) species described by Linnaeus in 1763 (in the subfamily SPHINGINAE)
Manduca sexta jamaicensis ______ DR JM subspecies in Jamaica, the Dominican Republic
Manduca sexta luciae ______ GD SL SV subspecies in the Lesser Antilles
CAROLINA SPHINX MOTH (or TOBACCO HORNWORM)

Carolina Sphinx Moth
(photo by Stephen Kloiber)
Nannoparce poeyi (phMB) ______ DR JM (in the subfamily SPHINGINAE)
Nannoparce poeyi poeyi ______ DR
Neococytius cluentius (phMB) ______ H#7774 JM DR GD PR SV (has been Cocytius cluentius) (in the subfamily SPHINGINAE)

Neococytius cluentius occurs in the West Indies, including Cuba, as well as in most of South America, Central America, and Mexico.
It has occasionally strayed into the US, as far north as Michigan and Illinois.
Pachylia ficus (ph) (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#7841 DR GD JM PR SL SV species described by Linnaeus in 1758 (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
FIG SPHINX MOTH

In addition to being in the West Indies, Pachylia ficus occurs in throughout Central America and South America.
In the US, it breeds in south Florida, and it is fairly common in Texas. It has also been found in Louisiana and Arizona.

The Fig Sphinx Moth, or Pachylia ficus
Pachylia syces insularis (phMB) ______ DR GD JM (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)

Pachylia syces insularis occurs in the West Indies. Another subspecies, the nominate, ranges from Mexico to southern Brazil and Uruguay.
Pachylioides resumens (phMB) ______ H#7842 DR JM (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)

Pachylioides resumens occurs on Caribbean islands, and elsewhere in the Neotropics. It strays as far north in the US as Florida and Texas.
Perigonia caryae ______ DR species described in 1998
Perigonia glaucescens ______ DR
Perigonia jamaicensis ______ JM (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
Perigonia lefebraei ______ DR
Perigonia lusca (ph) (phAC) ______ H#7846 DR GD PR SL SV (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
Perigonia lusca lusca ______ DR
HALF-BLIND SPHINX MOTH

Perigonia lusca occurs across the Neotropics. In the US, it is common in parts of Florida.

Perigonia lusca, the Half-blind Sphinx Moth
Perigonia manni ______ DR
Phrygionis argentata ______ JM (in the subfamily SPHINGINAE)
Phryxus caicus (phMB) ______ H#7840 DR JM (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
CAICUS SPHINX MOTH

Phryxus caicus occurs in the Neotropics. It is also a breeding resident in southern Florida, and strays occasionally north to South Carolina.
Protambulyx strigilis (phMB) ______ H#7818 DR GD JM PR SV (W:255) species described by Linnaeus in 1771 (in the subfamily SPHINGINAE)
Protambulyx strigilis strigilis ______ DR
STREAKED SPHINX MOTH

Protambulyx strigilis occurs in the West Indies, including Cuba, as well as in Central America and South America.
Pseudosphinx tetrio (ph) (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#7830 CY DR GD JM PR SL SV species described by Linnaeus in 1771 (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
TETRIO SPHINX MOTH

Pseudosphinx tetrio occurs widely across the Neotropics in the West Indies and from Mexico to South America.
In the US, it breeds in Florida and occasionally does so in Texas. Strays have wandered as far north as New Jersey and Connecticut.

The caterpillar of Pseudosphinx tetrio is large, with a distinctive yellow and black body and a red head. These caterpillars are commonly seen feeding on Wild Jasmine Trees, Plumeria obtusa, and they can strip the tree bare of leaves in just a matter of days. The caterpillar's feeding does not cause any damage as the tree soon leafs out again.

Above: The large, colorful caterpillar of the Tetrio Sphinx Moth.
It has been seen during FONT tours in the Cayman Islands.
Below: the adult moth.
Sphinx tricolor ______ DR (Moths in the New World in the genus SPHINX are now said to be in the genus LINTNERIA) (in the subfamily SPHINGINAE)
Xylophanes chiron (phAC) (phMB) ______ DR GD JM PR SL SV (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
Xylophanes chiron chiron ______ JM subspecies on Jamaica
Xylophanes chiron cubanus ______ subspecies in Cuba
Xylophanes chiron lucianus ______ SL SV subspecies on Saint Lucia, Martinique, and nearby islands
Xylophanes chiron necchus ______ DR GD subspecies on Hispaniola, Guadeloupe
Xylophanes clarki ______ DR
Xylophanes falco ______ H#7889 DR
FALCON SPHINX MOTH
Xylophanes irrorata ______ DR
Xylophanes jamaicensis ______ JM (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)

Xylophanes jamaicensis is endemic to Jamaica, but it may be a subspecies of Xylophanes porcus, the Porcus Sphinx Moth, occurring from Florida to Bolivia.
Xylophanes maculator (phMB) ______ JM (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
Xylophanes pluto (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#7887 DR GD JM PR SV (W:278) (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
PLUTO SPHINX MOTH

Xylophanes pluto occurs in the West Indies, as well as from Mexico to northern Argentina, and in the US into Texas and Florida.
Xylophanes porcus _____ H#7888 DR
Xylophanes porcus porcus ______ DR subspecies in Cuba and on Hispaniola
PORCUS SPHINX MOTH
Xylophanes rhodocera ______ DR
Xylophanes tersa (ph) (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#7890 DR GD JM PR SV (PNE:269) (W:278) species described by Linnaeus in 1771 (in the subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
Xylophanes tersa tersa ______ DR
TERSA SPHINX MOTH

Xylophanes tersa has a wide distribution from southern Canada south to Argentina, including the West Indies.
In North America, the most northerly breeding record is in the US state of New Jersey.

Tersa Sphinx Moth
(copyrighted photo by Lisa Johnson)

Family NOTODONTIDAE: PROMINENTS

The Prominents are a varied assortment of stout, often beautifully patterned noctuid moths.
Some have a short thoracic crest or tufts of hair-like scales along the inner margin of the forewing.
Most are found in mature woodlands, but some occur in well-established gardens.
All are strictly nocturnal and will visit lights in small numbers.
Antillisa barbuti ______ DR species described in 2006
Antillisa vincenti ______ DR species described in 2006
Boriza eglossa ______ JM (in HETEROCAMPINAE)
Crinodes besckei (phMB) ______ JM (in DUDUSINAE)
Disphragis cervina (phMB) ______ JM (in NOTODONTIDAE)
Disphragis jamaicensis ______ JM (in NOTODONTIDAE)
Hemiceras domingonis ______ DR (in HEMICERATINAE)
Heterocampa guttivitta (ph) (phAC) ______ H#7994 PR (PNE:281) (W:300)
SADDLED PROMINENT

Saddled Prominent
(photo by Stephen Kloiber)
Hippia insularis ______ H#7950 JM PR (in NYSTALEINAE)
Hippia vittipalpis ______ DR (in NYSTALEINAE)
Matocampa punctata (phMB) ______ JM (in HETEROCAMPINAE)
Notelia jaliscana ______ H#7960 PR
Nystalea aequipars (phAC) ______ DR PR (in NYSTALEINAE)
Nystalea collaris (phMB) ______ H#7946 JM (in NYSTALEINAE)
Nystalea ebalea (phAC) (phMB) ______ DR JM PR (in NYSTALEINAE)
Nystalea indiana ______ H#7945 DR JM (in NYSTALEINAE)
Nystalea nyseus (phAC) ______ JM PR (in NYSTALEINAE)
Nystalea superciliosa (phAC) ______ PR (in NYSTALEINAE)
Pentobesa smithsoni ______ DR species described in 1991 (in NYSTALEINAE)
Rifargia distinguenda (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#7966 JM PR (in HETEROCAMPINAE)
Symmerista albifrons ______ H#7951 DR (in NYSTALEINAE)
WHITE-HEADED PROMINENT

Family EREBIDAE, Subfamily LYMANTRIINAE: TUSSOCK MOTHS
Dasychira plagiata ______ H#8304 PR (PNE:291)
NORTHERN PINE TUSSOCK MOTH

Family EREBIDAE, Subfamily HERMINIINAE: LITTER MOTHS

Those in HERMINIINAE are delta-shaped, flat-winged noctuid moths found in woodlands, fields, and gardens.
Although the group may initially be confusing, subtle differences in pattern and form give clues to identification.
Most are nocturnal and will come to lights in small numbers.
Berocynta simplex ______ JM
Bleptina acastusalis ______ DR PR
Bleptina araealis ______ H#8370.1 PR
Bleptina atymnusalis ______ DR
Bleptina caradrinalis (phAC) ______ H#8370 DR JM PR (PNE:317)
BENT-WINGED OWLET MOTH
Bleptina hydrillalis ______ H#8375 DR PR
Bleptina menalcasalis ______ DR JM PR
Bleptina pithosalis ______ DR
Carteris oculatalis (phAC) ______ H#8391 JM PR
DOTTED CARTERIS MOTH
Diplodira jamaicalis ______ JM
Heterogramma micculalis ______ DR
Hypenula cacuminalis (phAC) ______ H#8376 PR
LONG-HORNED OWLET MOTH
Hypenula complectalis ______ DR PR
Kyneria utuadae ______ PR species described in 1940
Lascoria alucitalis ______ H#8395 JM PR
Lascoria orneodalis (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8396 JM PR
Lophoditta tuberculata ______ PR
Lophophora clanymoides ______ PR
Lophophora thaumasalis ______ DR
Mastigophorus demissalis ______ PR
Mastigophorus jamaicalis ______ JM PR
Palthis asopialis (phAC) ______ H#8398 JM PR (PNE:321)
FAINT-SPOTTED PALTHIS MOTH
Phlyctaina irrigualis (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8392 JM PR
Physula albipunctilla (phMB) ______ H#8390 JM PR
Physula peckii ______ PR
Renia fraternalis ______ H#8385 DR
Salia ferrigeralis ______ DR
Scopifera mirabilis ______ JM
Tetanolita floridana (phAC) ______ H#8368 PR
FLORIDA TETANOLITA MOTH
Tetanolita mutatalis ______ JM PR

Family EREBIDAE, Subfamily HYPENINAE: SNOUTS

Moths known as Snouts are deltoid noctuids characterized by their ample, strikingly patterned forewing.
Long labial palps give them a snout-like appearance.
These woodland moths are mostly nocturnal and are attracted to lights in small numbers.
Ballonicha recurvata ______ JM
Hypena abjuralis ______ H#8456 JM
Hypena androna ______ JM
Hypena concinnulalis ______ DR
Hypena conditalis ______ PR
Hypena degasalis ______ H#8459 PR
Hypena exoletalis ______ JM PR
Hypena leniusculalis ______ JM
Hypena lividalis ______ H#8456 DR PR
Hypena lunifera ______ JM
Hypena mactatalis ______ PR
Hypena minualis (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8457 JM PR
SOOTY BOMOLOCHA MOTH
Hypena pacatalis ______ DR
Hypena porrectalis (phMB) ______ H#8460 JM PR
Hypena subidalis (phMB) ______ H#8448.1 DR JM
Hypena umbralis ______ H#8453 PR
Hypena vetustalis (phAC) (phMB) ______ H8454.1 DR JM PR

Family EREBIDAE, Subfamily PHYTOMETRINAE
Aglaonice hirtipalpis ______ JM
Aglaonice otignatha ______ H#8390 JM PR
Cecharismena cara ______ H#8330 PR
Cecharismena nectarea ______ PR
Glympis arenalis ______ DR
Glympis concors ______ H#8478 PR
Glympis eubolialis ______ DR PR
Hemeroplanis aurora ______ DR
Hemeroplanis scopulepes (phMB) ______ H#8467 DR JM
VARIABLE TROPIC MOTH
Hormoschista latipalpis ______ H#8488 PR
Hypogrammodes balma ______ DR
Isogona scindens (phMB) ______ H#8498 DR JM
Mursa phtisialis ______ H#8477.2 DR JM
Mursa sotiusalis ______ DR
Mursa subrufa (phMB) ______ JM PR
Ommatochila mundula (phAC) ______ H#8489 PR
Radara nealcesalis ______ DR PR
Radara tauralis ______ DR

Family EREBIDAE, Subfamily CALPINAE

CALPINAE is sometimes merged into the closely-related CATOCALINAE (below, now EREBINAE)
*Acanthodica emittens (phMB) ______ JM (endemic)
Adiopa disgrega ______ PR
Dialithis gemmifera (phMB) ______ JM
Eudocima colubra ______ PR
Eudocima serpentinfera (phAC) ______ H#8543.1 DR PR
Gonodonta aequalis ______ PR
Gonodonta bidens (phAC) ______ H#8542.1 DR PR
Gonodonta bidens bidens ______ DR
Gonodonta clotida ______ JM PR
Gonodonta incurva (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8542 DR JM PR
Gonodonta jamaicensis ______ JM species described in 2009
Gonodonta nitidimacula (phMB) ______ H#8542.3 DR JM PR
Gonodonta nutrix (phMB) ______ H#8540 DR JM
CITRUS FRUIT-PIERCER MOTH
Gonodonta sicheas (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8537 JM PR
Gonodonta unica ______ H#8541 DR
Gonodonta uxoria (phAC) (phMB) ______ DR JM PR
Graphigona regina ______ PR
*Metalectra analis (phMB) ______ JM
Oraesia basiplaga ______ DR
Oraesia excitans ______ DR PR
Oraesia honesta ______ DR
Parachabora abydas (phAC) ______ PR
*Pararcte immanis ______ DR
*Pararcte schneideriana ______ PR
Plusiodonta stimulans ______ DR
Plusiodonta thomae (phAC) (phMB) ______ JM PR
*Pseudyrias dufayi (phMB) ______ JM
Pseudyrias watsoni ______ PR species described in 1940

Family EREBIDAE, Subfamilies EULEPIDOTINAE and SCOLIOPTERYGINAE (or OPHIDERINAE)

Some in OPHIDERINAE are sometimes placed in CALPINAE (above).
Alabama argillacea ______ H#8554 DR PR (in SCOLIOPTERYGINAE)
COTTON LEAFWORM MOTH
Anomis editrix (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8553 JM PR (in SCOLIOPTERYGINAE)
Anomis erosa (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8545 DR JM PR (PNE:329) (in SCOLIOPTERYGINAE)
YELLOW SCALLOP MOTH
Anomis exacta ______ H#8552 DR (in SCOLIOPTERYGINAE)
Anomis flava (phAC) ______ H#8546 DR PR (in SCOLIOPTERYGINAE)
TROPICAL ANOMIS MOTH
Anomis gundlachi ______ PR species described in 1940 (in SCOLIOPTERYGINAE)
Anomis illita (phAC) ______ H#8551 JM PR (in SCOLIOPTERYGINAE)
OKRA LEAFWORM MOTH
Anomis impasta (phMB) ______ H#8548 JM PR (in SCOLIOPTERYGINAE)
Anomis luridula _____ H#8549 DR (in SCOLIOPTERYGINAE)
Anomis properans ______ DR (in SCOLIOPTERYGINAE)
Antiblemma andersoni ______ PR
Antiblemma anhypha ______ PR
Antiblemma bistriga ______ JM
Antiblemma brevipennis ______ DR
Antiblemma calida ______ JM
Antiblemma concinnula ______ H#8579 PR
Antiblemma leucospila ______ DR
Antiblemma nannodes ______ JM
Antiblemma prisca ______ PR
Antiblemma rufinans (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8577 DR JM PR
Antiblemma sterope ______ DR PR
Anticarsia elegantula ______ PR
Anticarsia gemmatalis (ph) (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8574 DR JM PR SL (PNE:365)
VELVET BEAN CATERPILLAR MOTH

Velvet Bean Caterpillar Moth
Azeta quassa ______ DR JM
Azeta repugnalis (phMB) ______ H#8575 DR JM PR
Azeta versicolor ______ JM
Azeta uncas ______ JM
Dyomyx inferior ______ JM
Ephyrodes cacata (phAC) ______ H#8582 DR PR
Ephyrodes omicron ______ DR
Epitausa coppryi (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8581.1 JM PR
Epitausa laetabilis ______ DR
Eulepidotis addens (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8569.1 DR JM PR
Eulepidotis hebe (phAC) ______ PR
Eulepidotis juncida ______ PR
Eulepidotis merricki (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8571 JM PR
Eulepidotis metamorpha (phMB) ______ JM
Eulepidotis micca ______ PR
Eulepidotis modestula (phMB) ______ DR JM PR
Eulepidotis perducens (phMB) ______ JM
Eulepidotis persimilis ______ JM
Eulepidotis superior ______ PR
Litoprosopus haitiensis ______ DR
Litoprosopus hatuey ______ H#8556.1 DR PR
Litoprosopus puncticosta ______ DR
Manbuta pyraliformis ______ H#8585.4 PR
Massala obvertens (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8586 DR JM PR
Metallata absumens (phAC) ______ H#8573 DR PR
VARIABLE METALLATA MOTH
Phyprosopus fastigiata ______ PR
Renodes aequalis (phAC) ______ DR PR
Renodes eupithecioides ______ DR
Syllectra congemmalis (phAC) ______ DR PR
Syllectra erycata (ph) (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8584 DR GD JM PR SL

Syllectra erycata
Syllectra lucifer ______ PR

Family EREBIDAE, Subfamily ANOBINAE
Baniana relapsa ______ DR PR

Family EREBIDAE, Subfamily HYPENODINAE
Schrankia macula (phAC) ______ H#8431 PR
BLACK-SPOTTED SCHRANKIA MOTH

Family EREBIDAE, Subfamily HYPOCALINAE
Hypocala andremona (phMB) ______ H#8642 DR JM
HYPOCALA MOTH

Hypocala andremona has variously been placed in the subfamily OPHIDERINAE and in the subfamily CALPINAE (or CATOCALINAE).

Family EREBIDAE, Subfamily RIVULINAE
Rivula pusilla (phAC) ______ H#8404.1 PR

Family EREBIDAE, Subfamily EREBINAE (previously CATOCALINAE)

The subfamily EREBINAE is a large group of medium to large woodland moths that typically rest with their wings held flat.
They come to light in small numbers.
The Zales frequently visit sugar bait, often the best method of attracting them.
Achaea ablunaris (phMB) ______ H#8723.1 DR JM PR
Achlyodes thraso ______ PR species described in 1953
Antapistis leucospila ______ DR
Argidia palmipes ______ JM
Argidia penicillata ______ JM
Ascalapha odorata (ph) (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8649 CY DR JM PR SL (PNE:337) species described by Linnaeus in 1758
the BLACK WITCH (or Duppy Bat)

Ascalapha odorata is a huge moth, with a wing span of about 150mm. It is not brightly patterned, being mostly various shades of brown with dark bands and lines. It sometimes flies in the day, but mostly at night. At a distance, a day-flying Black Witch could be mistaken for a butterfly, the Gold Rim Swallowtail.

In Jamaica, where Ascalapha odorata is called the "Duppy Bat", the moth is believed to be embodiment of a lost soul or a soul not at rest. In Jamaican English, the word "duppy" is associated with malevolent spirits returning to inflict harm upon the living, and "bat" refers to anything other than a bird that flies.
The word "duppy" (or "duppie") is also used in other West Indian countries, generally meaning "ghost".

On Cat Island in the Bahamas, where the Ascalapha odorata is locally known at the "Money Moth", or the "Money Bat", the legend is that if it lands on someone, that person will come into money.

Above: a male Black Witch; below a female.
(upper photo courtesy of David MacDonald; lower photo by Sherry Nelson)
Batina marginalis ______ DR
Bendis bayamona ______ PR species described in 1940
Bendis gurda ______ PR
Bendis magdalia ______ PR
Bulia confirmans ______ DR
Caenurgia adjusta ______ DR
Calyptis iter ______ JM (was said to be in Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily CATOCALINAE)
Casandria ferrocana ______ DR JM
Celiptera cometophora (phMB) ______ JM (was said to be in Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily CATOCALINAE)
Celiptera levina (phMB) ______ DR JM (was said to be in Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily CATOCALINAE)
Coenipeta bibitrix (phMB) ______ H#8665 JM
Coenipeta diffusa ______ JM
Coenipeta mollis ______ DR
Dyomyx inferior (phAC) (phMB) ______ JM PR
Elousa albicans ______ H#8661.1 DR JM
Epidromia pannosa ______ H#8585.2 PR
Epidromia poaphiloides ______ JM
Epidromia pyraliformis ______ DR
Epidromia rotundata ______ H#8585.3 PR
Epidromia suffusa ______ JM
Epidromia valida ______ DR
Epidromia zetophora ______ JM
Euclystis angularis (phMB) ______ JM
Gonodontodes chionosticta ______ JM
Hemeroblemma lienaris ______ DR
Hemeroblemma numeria (phMB) ______ DR JM
Hemeroblemma opigena (phMB) ______ H#8645 JM
Hemeroblemma rengus ______ DR PR
*Hemeroplanis aurora ______ DR
*Hemeroplanis scopulepes ______ DR
Hemicephalis characteria (phAC) ______ PR
Hemicephalis krugi ______ PR
Kakopoda progenies (phMB) ______ H#8669 DR JM PR
Latebraria amphipyroides ______ H#8646 PR
Lesmone formularis (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8655 DR JM PR
Letis hercyna ______ JM
Letis intracta ______ DR
Letis mycerina (phAC) ______ DR PR
Letis specularis ______ JM
Melipotis acontioides (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8610 DR JM PR
ROYAL POINCIANA MOTH
Melipotis agrotoides (phMB) ______ H#8608 JM
Melipotis brunnearis (phMB) ______ JM
Melipotis contorta ______ H#8605 DR PR
Melipotis famelica (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8604 DR JM PR
Melipotis fasciolaris (phMB) ______ H#8599 DR JM PR
Melipotis guanicana ______ PR species described in 1940
Melipotis indomita ______ H#8600 DR PR (PNE:355)
INDOMITABLE MELIPOTIS
Melipotis januaris (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8603 DR JM PR
Melipotis jucunda ______ H#8607 DR
Melipotis limitata (phMB) ______ JM
Melipotis lucigera ______ DR
Melipotis novanda (phMB) ______ H#8609 JM
Melipotis ochrodes (phMB) ______ DR JM PR
Melipotis perpendicaularis (phMB) ______ H#8598 DR JM PR
Melipotis strigifera ______ DR
Metria acharia ______ PR
Metria irresoluta (phMB) ______ DR JM
Mimophisma forbesi ______ PR
Mocis antillesia ______ PR
Mocis diffluens (phMB) ______ DR JM
Mocis disseverans (phMB) ______ H#8746 DR JM PR
YELLOW MOCIS MOTH
Mocis exscindens ______ DR
Mocis latipes ______ H#8743 DR PR
SMALL MOCIS MOTH
Mocis maricida ______ H#8744 PR
WITHERED MOCIS MOTH
Mocis megas ______ PR
Mocis repanda ______ DR PR
Ophisma tropicalis (phMB) ______ H#8722 DR JM PR
Ophiusa salmus ______ DR
Panula inconstans (phMB) ______ H#8612 DR JM
Peosina numeria ______ PR
Perasia flexa ______ DR
Perasia garnoti (phMB) ______ DR JM PR
Perasia helvina (phAC) ______ PR
Perasia inficita ______ DR
Ptichodis herbarum (phMB) ______ H#8750 JM
COMMON PTICHODIS MOTH
Ptichodis immunis (phMB) ______ H#8750.1 DR JM PR
Ptichodis infecta ______ DR
Safia acharia ______ PR
Selenisa humeralis ______ DR
Selenisa projiciens ______ DR
Selenisa suero ______ PR
Selenisa sueroides (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8658 JM PR
PALE-EDGED SELENISA MOTH
Thysania zenobia (ph) (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8647 DR JM PR
THE OWL MOTH
Toxonprucha diffundens ______ H#8673.1 DR PR
Toxoprucha excavata ______ DR
Tricentrogyna vinacea ______ JM
Trigonodes lucasii (phMB) ______ DR JM
Tyrissa recurva ______ DR
Zale albidula ______ DR
Zale exhausta ______ H#8684 PR
Zale fictilis (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8687 DR JM PR
Zale fuliginosa ______ DR
Zale lunata (ph) ______ H#8689 JM (PNE:361)
LUNATE ZALE

Lunate Zale
(photo by Rise Hill)
Zale peruncta ______ H#8684.1 DR PR
Zale plumbeolinea ______ JM
Zale rufosa (phMB) ______ JM
Zale setipes ______ PR
Zale strigimacula (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8686 JM PR

Family EREBIDAE, Subfamily EUBLEMMINAE
Eublemma basalis ______ PR
Eublemma cinnamomea (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#9077 JM PR
Eublemma minima ______ H#9076 PR
EVERLASTING BUD MOTH
Eublemma recta (phMB) ______ H#9078 DR JM PR
STRAIGHT-LINED SEED MOTH
Eublemma rosescens ______ DR
Eublemma sydolia ______ PR

Family EREBIDAE, Subfamily ARCTIINAE: TIGER MOTHS

Also here are WASP MOTHS, LICHEN MOTHS

The Wasp Moths are in CTENUCHINI. The Lichen Moths are in LITHOSIINI.
Also included here are those moths in PERICOPINI.

Tiger Moths are a varied group of strikingly attractive moths found in woodlands, fields, and gardens.
Many are robust and hairy, often with striped, banded, or spotted patterns. They visit lights in varying numbers.

The Lichen Moths (in LITHOSIINI) are small, often strikingly colorful moths whose larvae feed mostly on lichens in wooded areas.
Most are nocturnal and visit lights in small numbers.

On Hispaniola, there are about 50 known species in what has been the subfamily ARCTIINAE.
Aethosia ectrocta ______ DR (in LITHOSIINI)
Aethria dorsolineata (phMB) ______ JM
Aethria rubipectus ______ DR
Afrida basiposis ______ DR (in LITHOSIINI)
Afrida mesomelaena (phMB) ______ JM
Afrida tortricifascies ______ DR (in LITHOSIINI)
Afrida tortriciformis (phMB) ______ JM (in LITHOSIINI)
Afrida ydatodes ______ H#8102 PR (in LITHOSIINI)
has been known as DYAR'S LICHEN MOTH
Agylla sericea ______ PR
Ammalo helops (phMB) ______ JM
Amplicincia fletcheri ______ JM species described in 1950 (in LITHOSIINI)
Amplicincia lathyi ______ JM species described in 1950 (in LITHOSIINI)
Amplicincia mixta ______ JM (in LITHOSIINI)
Amplicincia pallida ______ JM (in LITHOSIINI)
Amplicincia walkeri ______ JM species described in 1950 (in LITHOSIINI)
Antichloris quadricolor ______ JM said to be endemic to Jamaica
Antichloris toddi ______ GD species described in 1978 (either rare or difficult to find)
Are druryi (phMB) ______ JM species described in 1984 (in PERICOPINI)
Areva trigemmis ______ DR (in LITHOSIINI)
Argylla sericea ______ PR
Bituryx lanceolata ______ DR
Boenasa angelica ______ DR (in LITHOSIINI)
Boenasa nigrorosea ______ DR (in LITHOSIINI)
Calidota strigosa (phAC) (phMB) ______ DR JM PR
Carathis palpalis (phMB) ______ JM
Caribarctica bertrandae ______ DR species described in 2006
Caribarctica cardinalis ______ DR species described in 1985
Cincia conspersa ______ JM (in LITHOSIINI)
Cincia sordida ______ JM (in LITHOSIINI)
Clystea rubipectus ______ DR (in CTENUCHINI)
Composia credula (phMB) ______ DR JM PR (in PERICOPINI)
Composia fidelissima (ph) ______ H#8038 CU CY DR (W:475) (in PERICOPINI)
the FAITHFUL BEAUTY
(Range: the West Indies and Florida in the US)

Both the larva and the adult of Composia fidelissima are highly conspicuous and diurnal.
When seen flying at a distance, the adult moth can be mistaken for a butterfly, the Atala Hairstreak.

Faithful Beauty
Correbidia lycoides (phMB) ______ JM (in CTENUCHINI)
Correbidia terminalis (phAC) ______ PR (in CTENUCHINI)

In the genus below, COSMOSOMA, there are said to be about 185 known species, occurring in the Neotropics and the southern limits of the Nearctic, with the greatest diversity and abundance in the rainforests and cloud forests of Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru.
Cosmosoma achemon (phAC) (phMB) ______ JM PR (in CTENUCHINI)
Cosmosoma auge (phAC) (phMB) ______ JM PR species described by Linnaeus in 1767 (in CTENUCHINI)
Cosmosoma demantria ______ (in CTENUCHINI) said to occur on the Lesser Antillean island of Dominica
BLUE-TAILED BEE-MIMIC

The range of Cosmosoma demantria is from Mexico to Peru (and, as noted here, in the Antilles).
Cosmosoma fenestrata (phMB) ______ JM
Cosmosoma hypocheilus ______ DR SV
Ctenucha editha ______ DR (in PERICOPINI)
Ctenuchidia fulvibasis ______ JM (in PERICOPINI)
Ctenuchidia subcyanea ______ DR (in PERICOPINI)
Ctenuchidia virginalis ______ PR (in PERICOPINI)
Ctenuchidia virgo (phMB) ______ JM PR (in PERICOPINI)
Cyanopepla fastuosa (phMB) ______ JM (in CTENICHINI)
Elysius cingulata (phMM) ______ JM
Empyreuma affinis ______ CY DR GD (W:482) (in CTENICHINI)
SPOTTED OLEANDER WASP MOTH

The wings of Empyreuma affinis are red. The forewing has a bluish tint on the veins and outer margin.

On Hispaniola, Empyreuma affinis was Empyreuma haitensis.
Empyreuma anassa (phMB) ______ JM (in CTENICHINI)
Empyreuma lichas ______ DR (in CTENICHINI)
Empyreuma pugione ______ H#8272 DR PR species described by Linnaeus in 1767 (in CTENICHINI)
SPOTTED OLEANDER CATERPILLAR MOTH
Epicepsis dominicensis ______ GD
Eucereon coenobilum (phMB) ______ JM
Eucereon cyneburge ______ GD said to be very rare on Guadeloupe, fairly common on Martinique
Eucereon imriei ______ GD also on the islands of Dominica, Montserrat, St. Kitts
Eucereon moeschieri (phMB) ______ JM
Eucereon ochrota (phMB) ______ JM
Eucereon rogersi ______ GD also on the island of St. Kitts

Eucereon rogersi also ranges in Central America in Costa Rica and Panama.
Eunomia columbina ______ DR also said to be in the Virgin Islands (in CTENICHINI)
Eunomia rubripunctata (phMB) ______ JM PR
Eupseudosoma involuta (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8257 GD JM PR
Eupseudosoma involuta floridum ______ GD (where it is common)

Eupseudosoma involuta was Eupseudosoma nivea and Eupseudodoma immaculata.

In addition to being on Caribbean islands, Eupseudosoma involuta occurs in Central America, in the Guyanas and Brazil, and in the US (in Florida).
Gymnelia dubia (phMB) ______ JM (in CTENUCHINI)
Halysidota ata ______ DR species described in 1980
Halysidota cinctipes (phAC) ______ PR
Halysidota elota (phMB) ______ JM
Halysidota leda ______ GD (in ARCTIINI, subtribe PHAEGOPTERINA)
Halysidota leda leda ______ GD
Halysidota leda enricoi ______ subspecies in Martinique, described in 1978
Halysidota orientalis (ph) ______ SL

Halysidota orientalis
Halysidota schausi ______ Martinique, found there recently
SCHAUS' TUSSOCK MOTH

Halysidota schausi also occurs in Texas, Mexico, Central America, and in South America south to Peru.
Holomelina semirosea ______ DR
Horama grotei (phMB) ______ JM (in CTENUCHINI)
Horama panthalon (phMB) ______ H#8287 DR GD JM PR (in CTENUCHINI)
Horama panthalon panthalon ______ DR GD JM PR subspecies in the Antilles, and northern South America
TEXAS WASP MOTH
Horama pretus (phAC) ______ GD PR (in CTENUCHINI)
Horama rawlinsi ______ DR species described in 1992 (in CTENUCHINI)
Hyalurga diastilba (phMB) ______ JM (in PERICOPINI)
Hyalurga halizoa (phMB) ______ JM (in PERICOPINI)
Hyalurga vinosa (phAC) (phMB) ______ DR GD JM PR (in PERICOPINI)

In addition to occurring on the islands coded above, Hyalurga vinosa is also on the Caribbean islands of Antigua and St. Kitts.
Hypercombe decora (phAC) ______ DR PR
Hypercombe icasia (phAC) ______ GD PR
Hypercompe nigriplaga (phMB) ______ JM
Hypercombe persola (phMB) ______ JM
Hypercombe scribonia (ph) (phAC) ______ H#8146 PR (PNE:303) (W:467)
GIANT LEOPARD MOTH

Giant Leopard Moth
(photo by Marie Gardner)
Idalus delicata (phMB) ______ JM
Ischnocampa griseola (phMB) ______ JM
Leucanopsis moeschleri (phMB) ______ JM
Lomuna nigripuncta ______ PR
Lophocampa atomosa (phMB) ______ JM (in ARCTIINI subtribe PHAEGOPTERINA)
Lophocampa bahorucoensis ______ DR species described in 2005 (in ARCTIINI subtribe PHAEGOPTERINA)
Lophocampa caryae (ph) ______ H#8211 DR (PNE:307) (in ARCTIINI subtribe PHAEGOPTERINA)
HICKORY TUSSOCK MOTH

Hickory Tussock Moth
(photo by Stephen Kloiber)
Lophocampa duarteiensis ______ DR species described in 2005 (in ARCTIINI subtribe PHAEGOPTERINA)
Lophocampa latepunctata ______ DR species described in 2005 (in ARCTIINI subtribe PHAEGOPTERINA)
Lophocampa lesieuri ______ DR species described in 2005 (in ARCTIINI subtribe PHAEGOPTERINA)
Lophocampa neibaensis ______ DR species described in 2005 (in ARCTIINI subtribe PHAEGOPTERINA)
Lymire candida ______ DR (in CTENUCHINI)
Lymire edwardsi ______ H#8270 DR (in CTENUCHINI)
EDWARDS' WASP MOTH
Lymire flavicollis ______ PR (in CTENUCHINI)
Lymire melanocephala (phMB) ______ DR JM (in CTENUCHINI)
Mulona grisea (phMB) ______ JM
Mulona lapidaria ______ DR (in LITHOSIINI)
Napata chalybea (phMB) ______ JM (in CTENUCHINI)
Napata munda ______ DR (in CTENUCHINI)
Napata (or Uranophora) quadristrigata (ph) ______ SL also Dominica (in CTENUCHINI)

Napata (or Uranophora) quadristrigata
Nyridela chalciope (phAC) (phMB) ______ DR GD JM PR (in CTENUCHINI)

In the Caribbean, Nyridela chalciope also occurs on St. Kitts. Outside the Caribbean, it is in Central America and Colombia.
On the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, it is common.
Nyridela xanthocela ______ JM (in CTENUCHINI)
Opharus bimaculata (phAC) (phMB) ______ GD JM PR

In Guadeloupe, Opharus bimaculata is rare, and only at higher elevations. Outside the Caribbean, it has also been found in Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela, Ecuador, Brazil.
Pachydota albiceps ______ GD
Pachydota iodea (phMB) ______ JM
Paracincia butleri ______ JM (in LITHOSIINI)
Paracincia dogmini ______ JM (in LITHOSIINI)
Paramulona albulata ______ PR
Pareuchaetes insulata (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8227 DR JM PR (W:476)
YELLOW-WINGED PAREUCHAETES MOTH
Parvicincia belli (phMB) ______ JM (in LITHOSIINI)
Pheia daphaena ______ GD(uncommon) in Martinique said to be very rare
Philoros (formerly Antichloris) quadricolor (phMB) ______ JM
Phoenicoprocta capistrata ______ PR (in CTENUCHINI)
Phoenicoprocta jamaicensis (ph) (phMB) ______ JM (in CTENUCHINI)

Phoenicoprocta jamaicensis
(photo courtesy of Shelley Hall)
Phoenicoprocta partheni ______ DR PR (in CTENUCHINI)
Progona pallida ______ PR
Pseudamastus alsa _____ GD also on Dominica and Martinique
Pseudamastus alsa alsa ______ GD subspecies on Guadeloupe where very rare, also on Dominica
Pseudamastus alsa lalannei ______ subspecies on Martinique where very rare
Pseudocharis minima (phMB) ______ H#8286 JM (in CTENUCHINI)
LESSER WASP MOTH
Stenognatha flinti ______ DR species described in 1982 (in PERICOPINI)
Stenognatha toddi (phMB) ______ JM species described in 1975 (in PERICOPINI)
Symphlebia jamaicensis (phMB) ______ JM
Syntomeida epilais (ph) ______ H#8284 CY GD SL (W:483)
POLKA-DOT WASP MOTH (or THE POLKADOT) (the larva is known as the OLEANDER CATERPILLAR)

Syntomeida epilais is a blue-black moth spotted with white.

The caterpillars of Syntomeida epilais have 3 of the classic earmarks of unpalatability:
1) a bright orange and black coloration
2) conspicuous diurnal activity
3) they feed gregariously

Syntomeida epilais was accidentally introduced on Martinique (with Empyreuma affinis) in 1981and on Guadeloupe in 1982.
It also occurs on the Caribbean islands of St. Lucia, St. Kitts, and Cuba. Also in the US in Florida.

Polka-dot Wasp Moth
Syntomeida melanthus ______ GD SV
Syntomeida melanthus merlettii ______ GD subspecies on Guadeloupe, described in 1978

Syntomeida melanthus is very similar to Syntomeida syntomoides (below).
Syntomeida syntomoides ______ on Martinique

In South America, Syntomeida syntomoides has also been found in French Guiana.
Syntomidopsis variegata (phMB) ______ JM (endemic)
Torycus domingonis ______ DR (in LITHOSIINI)
Trocodima hemiceras ______ PR
Uraga haemorhoa (phMB) ______ JM (in CTENUCHINI)
Uranophora chalybaea ______ JM

Uranophora quadristrigata - above, as Napata quadristrigata.
Uranophora rabdonota ______ GD and Dominica
Utetheisa ornatrix (ph) (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8105 CY DR GD JM PR SL SV (PNE:307) (W:478) described by Linnaeus in 1758 (in PERICOPINI)
ORNATE MOTH (or ORNAMENTED UTETHEISA)

Utetheisa ornatrix is the New World counterpart of Utetheisa pulchella, the Crimson Speckled Footman.

The forewing of Utetheisa ornatrix is yellowish white with irregular, transverse white bands, each enclosing a line of small black spots, and the hindwing is pink with marginal black marks.

Above & below: the Ornate Moth
Utetheisa pulchella ______ GD species described by Linnaeus in 1758
CRIMSON-SPECKLED FLUNKY

Utetheisa pulchella is native to southern Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
Virbia semirosea ______ DR

Families EUTELIIDAE and STICTOPTERINAE: including EUTELIAS and PAECTES

Those in the EUTELIIDAE family are small to medium-sized moths, with most having spectacularly acrobatic resting positions.
They occur in a variety of habitats, even in urban areas.
All are nocturnal, and come to lights in low numbers.
Eutelia ablatrix (phAC) (phMB) ______ JM PR
Eutelia caustiplaga ______ JM
Eutelia furcata ______ H#8968.2 DR JM PR
FLORIDA EUTELIA MOTH
Eutelia pyrastis ______ H#8968.1 PR
Nagara vitrea ______ JM (in STICTOPTERINAE)
Paectes arcigera ______ H#8967 DR PR
Paectes devincta (phAC) ______ PR
Paectes elegans ______ JM
Paectes fuscescens (phMB) ______ JM
Paectes lunodes (phMB) ______ H#8963.1 JM PR
Paectes obrotunda (phMB) ______ JM PR
Paectes pallida ______ JM
Palpidia melanotricha ______ JM

Family NOLIDAE: the NOLID, or TUFT MOTHS

NOLIDAE is now said to be the subfamily NOLINAE in EREBIDAE or NOCTUIDAE.

Also here in this grouping are the subfamilies CHLOEPHORINAE and SARROTHRIPINAE

Subfamily COLLOMENINAE is also included here in this grouping.

The genus Afrida, which was here, has been moved to LITHOSIINAE with ARCTIINAE (above, in this list).

NOLIDS are small deltoid noctuid moths that rest with their rounded wings in a flat position.
They are predominantly gray or white with patterns of dotted or broken lines.
Many have raised tufts of hair-like scales on the forewing.
They occur mostly in woodlands and old fields, and they are nocturnal, attracted to lights in small numbers.
Casandria ferrocana (phMB) ______ JM PR (in SARROTHRIPINAE)
Cephalospargeta elongata (phMB) ______ H#9837 JM PR
Characoma sp. ______ DR (in SARROTHRIPINAE)
Collomena filifera (phAC) ______ H#8982 DR PR (in CHLOEPHORINAE)
Concana mundissima (phAC) (phMB) ______ DR JM PR (in COLLOMENINAE)
Garella nilotica (phAC) ______ H#8974 PR
BLACK-OLIVE CATERPILLAR MOTH
Iscadia aperta (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8980 DR JM PR (in SARROTHRIPINAE)
Iscadia metaphaea ______ JM (in SARROTHRIPINAE)
Iscadia mollis ______ JM (in SARROTHRIPINAE)
Motya abseuzalis (phAC) ______ H#8981 PR
Mouralia tinctoides ______ PR
Nola bistriga (phAC) ______ PR (in NOLINAE)
Nola cereella (phAC) ______ H#8991 DR PR (PNE:369) (in NOLINAE)
SORGHUM WEBWORM MOTH
Nola minna (phAC) ______ H#8993 PR (in NOLINAE)
CEANOTHUS NOLA MOTH
Nola portoricensis ______ PR (in NOLINAE)
Nola sinuata ______ PR (in NOLINAE)
Stictoptera vitrea ______ PR

Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily PLUSIINAE: LOOPERS and MILLER MOTHS

The PLUSIINAE is a distinctive group of moths that occur mostly in open habitats such as old fields and barrens.
Many have diagnostic silvery stigmas on the forewing.
Several have tall thoracic crests and tufts of scales at the anal angle of the forewing.
Most are nocturnal and come to lights in small numbers.
Agrapha calceolaris ______ PR
Agrapha oxygramma (phMB) ______ JM
Argyrogramma verruca (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8885 DR JM PR (PNE:375)
GOLDEN LOOPER MOTH
Autographa biloba (phMB) ______ JM
Autoplusia egena ______ H#8891 DR PR
BEAN-LEAD SKELETONIZER MOTH
Chrysodeixis includens ______ H#8890 JM PR
SOYBEAN LOOPER MOTH
Ctenoplusia oxygramma ______ H#8889 JM
SHARP-STIGMA LOOPER MOTH
Enigmogramma admonens ______ PR
Enigmogramma antillea ______ PR species described in 2001
Megalographa biloba ______ JM
Mouralia tinctoides (phMB) ______ H#8884 DR JM
Notioplusia illustrata (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8894 JM PR (has been Autoplusia illustrata)
NOTIOPLUSIA MOTH

The larvae of Notioplusia illustrata feed on Lantana camara.
Plusia calceolaris (phMB) ______ DR JM
Pseudoplusia includens (phMB) ______ DR JM
Rachiplusia ou (phMB) ______ H#8895 JM
GRAY LOOPER MOTH
Trichoplusia ni (phMB) ______ H#8887 DR JM PR
CABBAGE LOOPER MOTH

Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily BAGISARINAE
Amyna axis (phAC) ______ H#9070 JM PR (PNE:385)
EIGHT-SPOT MOTH
Amyna bullula ______ PR
Bagisara buxea ______ PR
Bagisara repanda (phMB) ______ DR JM PR
Bagisara tristicta ______ H#9176 DR

Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily CUCULLIINAE: HOODED OWLETS

The CUCULLIINAE is a distinctive group of moths that rest their wings and their forelegs outstretched.
A thick thoracic crest typically curls forward over the head to create a "hooded" appearance.
They are found in woodlands and larger gardens, and they are nocturnal and visit lights in small numbers.
Neogalea sunia (phMB) ______ JM PR

Family NOCTUIDAE, what has been Subfamily CYDOSIINAE

now in the subfamily ACONTIINAE (below).
Cydosia nobilitella (ph) (phMB) ______ H#9000 DR JM PR SL
CURVE-LINED CYDOSIA MOTH

Curve-lined Cydosia Moth

Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily EUSTROTIINAE: GLYPHS

The Glyphs are colorful small to medium-sized moths, many of which have cryptic lichen-like markings.
All are nocturnal and come to lights.
Cobubatha albipectus ______ PR
Cobubatha metaspilaris ______ H#9012 PR DR
Cobubatha putnami ______ PR
Marimatha botyoides ______ PR
Marimatha nigrofimbria (phAC) ______ H#9044 PR (PNE:385)
BLACK-BORDERED LEMON MOTH
Marimatha operta ______ PR
Marimatha portoricensis ______ PR
Marimatha trajectalis ______ DR
Marimatha tripuncta ______ H#9045 PR
Ozarba cinda ______ PR species described in 1940
Tripudia coamons ______ PR species described in 1940
Tripudia luxuriosa ______ H#9008 PR
Tripudia rectangula (phAC) ______ H#9003.1 PR species described in 2009

Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily ACONTIINAE: BIRD-DROPPING MOTHS

Those in ACONTIINAE are small moths, most of which are accomplished bird-dropping mimics.
They are commonly encountered at woodland edges and in old fields, and sometimes in the daytime.
Most are nocturnal and come to lights.
Acontia tetragona (phMB) ______ DR JM
Amyria octo (phMB) ______ JM
Anateinoma affabilis ______ PR
Araeopteron acidalica (phMB) ______ JM
Chobata discalis ______ DR PR
Haplostola aphelioides ______ PR
Lithacodia glauca (phMB) ______ JM
Ponometia exigua ______ H#9115 DR PR
Spragueia apicalis (phMB) ______ H#9131 JM
YELLOW SPRAGUELA MOTH
Spragueia dama (phAC) _____ H#9122 DR JM PR
SOUTHERN SPRAGUELA MOTH
Spragueia margana (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#9132 DR JM PR
Spragueia pantherula ______ PR
Spragueia perstructana (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#9124 JM PR
Tarache tetragona ______ H#9143 JM
FOUR-SPOTTED BIRD-DROPPING MOTH
Tarachidia flavibasis ______ PR
Tarachidia mixta ______ PR
Tarachidia venustula ______ DR
Thioptera aurifera (phMB) ______ JM

Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily DIPHTHERINAE: the HIEROGLYPHIC MOTH

The Hieroglyphic Moth is a distinctive species with a crisp black pattern that brings to mind ancient Egyptian artwork.
It come to lights.
Diphthera festiva (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#8560 DR JM PR (PNE:391)
HIEROGLYPHIC MOTH

Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily ACRONICTINAE: DAGGERS

The ACRONICTINAE is a large group of predominantly gray noctuid moths that often have black dagger-like dashes on the forewing.
They are found in woodlands and larger gardens, and they are nocturnal and visit lights and sugar bait in small numbers.
Some species are difficult to identify.
Agriopodes jucundella ______ PR

Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily AMPHIPYRINAE: AMPHIPYRINE SALLOWS

Most of the AMPHIPYRINAE are chunky moths that usually rest with their wings tented over their back.
Most inhabit woodland and field edges.
They are nocturnal and visit lights in small numbers.
Antachara diminuta (phMB) ______ JM
Antachara rotundata ______ DR
Araeopteron acidalica ______ JM
Archanara oblonga ______ JM
Argyrosticta ditissima (phMB) ______ JM
Callopistria floridensis ______ DR
Catobena vitrina ______ DR
Cropia indigna (phMB) ______ DR JM
Cropia infusa (phMB) ______ JM PR
Cropia subapicalis (phMB) ______ DR JM
Cropia minthe (phMB) ______ JM
Cropia subapicalis ______ JM
Dypterygia punctirena ______ DR PR
Galgula partita (ph) (phMB) ______ H#9688 JM PR (PNE:435)
THE WEDGLING

The Wedgling
(photo by Stephen Kloiber)
Galgula subapricalis ______ JM
Hampsonodes ampliplaga ______ DR
Heterochroma berylloides (phAC) (phMB) ______ JM PR
Heterochroma insignis (phMB) ______ JM
Lithacodia glauca ______ JM
Macapta albivitta (phMB) ______ JM
Metaponpneumata rogenhoferi ______ PR
Micrathetis dasararoda (phMB) ______ JM
Micrathetis triplex (phMB) ______ DR JM
Perigea punctirena (phMB) ______ DR JM PR
Perigea xanthioides (phMB) ______ H#9689.1 JM
RED GROUNDLING MOTH
Speocropia scriptura ______ DR PR
Thioptera aurifera ______ JM

Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily ONCOCNEMIDINAE: ONCOCNEMIDINE SALLOWS

The ONCOCNEMIDINAE are medium-sized, predominantly gray moths that will often sit with their wings slightly folded at rest, but may sometimes be found with their head flat.
All are nocturnal and visit lights in small numbers.
Antachara diminuta ______ JM
Catabenoides vitrina ______ PR
Neogalea sunia ______ JM

Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily AGARISTINAE: a group that includes WOOD-NYMPHS and FORESTERS
Caularis jamaicensis (phMB) ______ JM (endemic) species described in 1966

Caularis jamaicensis was misidentified as Caularis undulans (below).
Caularis undulans (phMB) ______ DR JM PR
Euscirrhopterus poeyi (phMB) ______ JM
Neotuerta sabulosa (phAC) ______ PR
Seirocastnia tribuna ______ DR

Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily CONDICINAE: GROUNDLINGS

The CONDICINAE is a group of mostly small to medium-sized deltoid moths that rest with their wings flat or slightly tented.
They are found in woodlands and larger gardens, and they are nocturnal and come to light in low numbers.
Condica abida ______ JM
Condica albigera (phMB) ______ DR JM PR
Condica circuita (phAC) (phMB) ______ DR JM PR
Condica concisa (phMB) ______ H#9698 DR JM PR
Condica confederata (phAC) ______ H#9714 JM PR (PNE:421)
CONFEDERATE MOTH
Condica cupentia (phMB) ______ JM
Condica mobilis (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#9693 DR JM PR (PNE:419)
MOBILE GROUNDLING MOTH
Condica punctifera (phMB) ______ DR JM
Condica selenosa (phMB) ______ JM PR
Condica subornata (phMB) ______ JM
Condica sufficiens ______ DR
Condica sutor (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#9699 DR JM PR (PNE:421)
COBBLER MOTH
Homophoberia apicosa ______ H#9057 PR (PNE:421)
BLACK WEDGE SPOT
Micrathetis dasarada ______ JM
Micrathetis triplex (phAC) ______ H#9644 JM PR
TRIPLEX CUTWORM MOTH

Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily HELIOTHINAE: FLOWER MOTHS

The HELIOTHINAE are small to medium-sized, often beautifully patterned noctuids of woodlands and fields.
Many are regularly encountered during the daytime taking nectar from flowers.
A few, such as the Corn Earworm Moth, are prone to irruptive movements.
Although most, as noted, are diurnal, many are also nocturnal and are attracted to lights in small numbers.

The hindwing color and pattern are important for identifying some species.
Helicoverpa armigera ______ PR
Helicoverpa zea (phMB) ______ H#11068 DR JM PR (PNE:425)
CORN EARWORM MOTH
Heliothis lucilinea (phMB) ______ DR JM
Heliothis subflexa ______ H#11070 DR
SUBFLEXUS STRAW MOTH
Heliothis virescens (phMB) ______ H#11071 DR JM PR (PNE:425)
TOBACCO BUDWORM MOTH

Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily ERIOPINAE: FERN MOTHS

The ERIOPINAE are small, complexly patterned noctuids that rest with their wings slightly folded.
They have tufts of hair-like scales on the thorax and inner margins of the wing that stick up when at rest.
These woodland moths are nocturnal and regularly come to lights.
Callopistria floridensis ______ H#9630 PR (PNE:427)
FLORIDA FERN-MOTH
Callopistria jamaicensis (phMB) ______ H#9630.1 JM PR

Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily NOCTUINAE

The NOCTUINAE is a varied assortment of small to medium-sized noctuid moths commonly found in woodlands, gardens, and fields.
Some are delta-shaped and rest with their wings flat. Others have long, narrow wings that they hold tight to their body.
All are nocturnal and will come to lights.

Included here in this grouping are those in the subfamilies GLOTTULINAE and HADENINAE.
Acroria terens (phAC) (phMB) ______ JM PR
Agrotis apicalis ______ H#10062 DR PR
Agrotis ipsilon ______ H#10063 DR
IPSILON DART
Agrotis malefida (phMB) ______ H#10661 JM PR (PNE:515)
RASCAL DART
Agrotis repleta (phMB) ______ JM
Agrotis subterranea (phMB) ______ DR JM
Anicla infecta (phMB) ______ H#10911 DR JM PR
GREEN CUTWORM MOTH
Barcita subviridescens (phMB) ______ JM
Boryzops purissima (phMB) ______ JM
Bryolymnia floccifera (phMB) ______ JM
Bryolymnia huastea ______ PR
Capsula (formerly Archanara) oblonga (phMB) ______ H#9449 JM (PNE:453)
OBLONG SEDGE BORER MOTH
Cephalospargeta elongata ______ JM (in HADENINAE)
Cobaliodes tripunctus ______ PR

Moths in the following genus, Elaphria, are the MIDGETS. Galgula partita is closely related.

The MIDGETS are small, highly patterned brown moths with short rounded wings.
They are locally common in woodlands and larger gardens, and they are nocturnal and come to lights in small to moderate numbers.
Elaphria agrotina (phMB) ______ JM PR (in HADENINAE)
Elaphria andersoni ______ PR species described in 1940 (in HADENINAE)
Elaphria arnoides ______ PR (in HADENINAE)
Elaphria basistigma (phMB) ______ JM (in HADENINAE)
Elaphria chalcedonia (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#9679 JM PR (PNE:433) (in HADENINAE)
CHALCEDONY MIDGET MOTH
Elaphria cuprescens ______ DR (in HADENINAE)
Elaphria deliriosa ______ DR (in HADENINAE)
Elaphria deltoides (phAC) (phMB) ______ JM PR (in HADENINAE)
Elaphria devara (phMB) ______ JM (in HADENINAE)
Elaphria nucicolora (phMB) ______ DR JM PR (in HADENINAE)
SUGARCANE MIDGET
Elaphria promiscua ______ PR (in HADENINAE)
Elaphria subobliqua (phMB) ______ JM PR (in HADENINAE)
Eriopyga adjuntasa ______ PR species described in 1940
Eriopyga crista (phMB) ______ JM
Feltia jaculifera ______ DR
Feltia repleta (phAC) ______ H#10665 PR
REPLETE DART MOTH
Feltia subterranea ______ H#10664 JM PR (PNE:515)
SUBTERRANEAN DART
Galgula subapicalis (phMB) ______ JM
Gonodes liquida (phAC) (phMB) ______ JM PR
Gonodontodes chionosticta (phMB) ______ JM
Hadena ligata ______ PR

Moths in the following genus, Lacinipolia, are the SMALL ARCHES.

SMALL ARCHES are a group of small noctuid moths that are typically found in woodlands and old fields, but are sometimes in gardens.
Mostly they are intricately patterned and brightly colored with defined spots.
They are nocturnal and regularly come to lights in small or moderate numbers.
Lacinipolia distributa ______ DR JM (in HADENINAE)
Lacinipolia parvula ______ PR (in HADENINAE)

Moths in the following genus, Leucania, are the WAINSCOTS.

WAINSCOTS are medium-sized, mostly tan-colored noctuid moths that have faint streaky forewing patterns.
They are often found in old fields and wetlands, and they are nocturnal and come to lights in small numbers.
Distinguishing features are often subtle, making species difficult to tell apart.
Leucania chejela (phMB) ______ DR JM PR (in HADENINAE)
Leucania cinereicollis (phMB) ______ JM (in HADENINAE)
Leucania clarescens ______ DR JM (in HADENINAE)
Leuconia dorsalis (phMB) ______ H#10447.1 DR JM (in HADENINAE)
Leucania educata ______ JM species described in 2001 (in HADENINAE)
Leucania hampsoni ______ PR species described in 1940 (in HADENINAE)
Leucania humidicola (phMB) ______ H#10458 DR JM PR (in HADENINAE)
SUGARCANE BUDWORM MOTH
Leucania incognita ______ DR JM (in HADENINAE)
Leucania inconspicua (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#10450.1 DR JM PR (in HADENINAE)
Leucania lamisma ______ DR (in HADENINAE)
Leucania latiuscula (phMB) ______ DR JM PR (in HADENINAE)
Leucania lobrega ______ H#10451.1 DR JM species described in 2001 (in HADENINAE)
Leucania microsticha ______ PR (in HADENINAE)
Leucania neiba ______ DR species described in 2001 (in HADENINAE)
Leucania phragmitidicola ______ H#10444 PR (PNE:495) (in HADENINAE)
PHRAGMITES WAINSCOT
Leucania rawlinsi ______ DR JM species described in 2001 (in HADENINAE)
Leucania secta (phMB) ______ JM (in HADENINAE)
Leucania senescens (phMB) ______ H#10455.1 DR JM (in HADENINAE)
Leucania sonroja ______ DR species described in 2001 (in subfamily HADENINAE)
Lleucania subpunctata (phMB) ______ H#10453.1 JM (in HADENINAE)
FORAGE ARMYWORM MOTH
Magusa orbifera (phMB) ______ JM PR
Meliana rosea ______ PR
Mamestra soligena (phMB) ______ JM
Marilopteryx lamptera (phMB) ______ JM
Mythimna sequax ______ JM species described in 1951
Mythimna unipuncta (phAC) ______ H#10438 DR PR (PNE:495) (in HADENINAE)
ARMYWORM MOTH (or THE WHITE SPECK)
Neophaenis meterythra (phMB) ______ JM
Neophaenis respondens (phMB) ______ JM

Moths in the following genus, Orthodes, are among those called QUAKERS.
The QUAKERS are mostly brown or chestnut and typically have a rounded wing shape.
They are nocturnal and regularly come to lights in small or moderate numbers.
Orthodes jamaicensis (phMB) ______ JM
Orthodes vesquesa (phMB) ______ JM
Peridroma saucia ______ JM
Pseudaletia unipuncta (phMB) ______ JM (in HADENINAE)
Pseudaletia sequax (phMB) ______ JM (in HADENINAE)
Pseudyrias dufayi ______ JM
Sesamia calamistis ______ PR
Spodoptera albula (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#9673 DR JM PR (in HADENINAE)
GRAY-STREAKED ARMYWORM MOTH
Spodoptera androgea (phMB) ______ H#9671.1 JM PR (in HADENINAE)
ANDROGEA ARMYWORM MOTH
Spodoptera dolichos (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#9671 DR JM PR (in HADENINAE)
DOLICHOS ARMYWORM MOTH
Spodoptera eridania (phMB) ______ H#9672 DR JM PR (in HADENINAE)
SOUTHERN ARMYWORM MOTH
Spodoptera exigua ______ H#9665 DR (PNE:431) (in HADENINAE)
BEET ARMYWORM MOTH (or SMALL MOTTLED WILLOW)
Spodoptera frugiperda (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#9666 DR JM PR (PNE:431) (W:432) (in HADENINAE)
FALL ARMYWORM MOTH
Spodoptera latifascia (phMB) ______ H#9670 DR JM PR (in HADENINAE)
VELVET ARMYWORM MOTH
Spodoptera ornithogalli (phAC) ______ H#9669 DR JM PR (PNE:431) (W:433) (in HADENINAE)
YELLOW-STRIPED ARMYWORM MOTH
Spodoptera pulchella (phMB) ______ H#9668 DR JM PR (in HADENINAE)
CARIBBEAN ARMYWORM MOTH
Tandilia rodea ______ PR
Tiracola grandirena (phMB) ______ JM
Xanthopastis regnatrix ______ JM (in subfamily GLOTTULINAE)
Xanthopastis timais (phAC) (phMB) ______ H#10640 DR JM PR (PNE:507) (in GLOTTULINAE)
SPANISH MOTH

The Spanish Moth is a distinct species, with a pink, orange, and black forewing that can bring to mind a traditional Spanish patterning.
It comes to lights.

Family NOCTUIDAE, subfamily uncertain (incertae sedis)
Homoptera terminalis ______ DR
Magusa orbifera ______ DR
Notioplusia illustrata ______ DR
Palpidia melanotricha (phMB) ______ JM (endemic)
Poaphila scita ______ DR
Phurys contenta ______ DR
Phurys pura ______ DR

Some selected reference books regarding Butterflies & Moths of the Caribbean
(in addition to those noted at the beginning of the list):

"Butterflies of the Caribbean & Florida", by Peter D. Stiling

"Butterflies & Other Insects of the Eastern Caribbean", by Peter D. Stiling

"Butterflies of the Cayman Islands", by R.R. Askew & P.A. van B. Stafford (an excellent, informative book, published in 2008)

"The Butterflies of Hispaniola", by Albert Schwartz, 1989 (a thorough, informative book)

"The Hawkmoths of the World", by Kitching & Cadiou, 2000

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