A List of Some Moths of South America by Armas Hill

PO Box 9021, Wilmington, DE 19809, USA
E-mail: font@focusonnature.com
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A List of Some
Moths
of South America

including those during
Focus On Nature Tours

This List of South American Moths
compiled by Armas Hill

A LINK to a LIST of SOUTH AMERICAN BUTTERFLIES

A LINK to a PHOTO GALLERY OF MOTHS & BUTTERFLIES DURING FONT ECUADOR TOURS

Photo at upper right: a SILKMOTH in the ROTHCHILDIA genus in the SATURNIIDAE family
(photo by Marie Gardner, in July 2013 during the FONT birding and nature tour in southern Ecuador)

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That 1983 list (actually compiled thru 1978) is outdated, but the numbers have long been used (and continue to be in the MONA listing).

Numbers noted as (BMCR:xxx) refer to plates with an illustration in the book "Butterflies & Moths of Costa Rica"" by Isidro Chacon & Jose Montero, 2007 (followed by -c: caterpillar, -co: caterpillar only)
Numbers noted as (EBE:xxx) refer to pages with a photograph in the book "Ecuador's Butterfly Ecology" by Xavier Silva (followed by -c: caterpillar, -co: caterpillar only)
Numbers noted as (W:xx) refer to pages with a photograph in the book "Caterpillars of Eastern North America" by David Wagner, 2005.
Numbers noted as (WC:xx) refer to pages with an illustration in the book "A Wildlife Guide to Chile" by Sharon Chester, 2008

An excellent source of information is the new book (published in 2011): "A Guide to the Hawkmoths of the Serra dos Orgaos (in south-eastern Brazil)" by Alan Martin, Alexandre Soares, Jorge Bizarro. That book has been a good reference for us here.
There is a section in the book with photographs of hawkmoths.
Numbers in this list noted as (HSB:xxx) refer to the number of the photo in the book with the particular species.
HSB = Hawkmoths Southeast Brazil

Countries and Regions where the species occur:

AR:   in Argentina
BL:   in Bolivia
BR:   in Brazil
se:    in southeast Brazil
CH:   in Chile
CL:   in Colombia
EC:   in Ecuador
PE:   in Peru

(*) following the two-letter code indicates a species seen during a FONT tour in that country

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


In this listing, there is some 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 about 605 species of moths in this list.

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

Uraniidae: Scoopwings    Adelidae: Fairy Longhorn Moths    Thyrididae: Window-winged Leaf Moths

Cossidae: Cossid Millers    Pterophoridae: Plume Moths    Megalopygidae: Flannel Moths

Gracillaridae: Leaf Blotch Miner Moths    Tortricidae: Leafroller Moths    Aididae    Limacodidae: Cupmoths

Dalceridae   Lacturidae    Zygaenidae    Mimallonidae    Lasiocampidae    Eupterotidae

Bombycidae    Pyralidae: Pyralid, or Snout Moths (includes what has been Crambidae)

Hedylidae: American Moth-Butterflies Castniidae: Giant Butterfly Moths

Geometridae: Geometer Moths (Loopers, Inchworms, Spanworms)   Saturniidae: Giant Silkmoths

Sphingidae: Sphinx Moths    Lymantriidae: Tussock Moths    Sematuridae: American Swallowtail Moths

Dioptinae    Doidae    Notodontidae: Prominents

NOCTUID MOTHS    Erebidae: subfamily Herminiinae: Litter Moths

Erebidae: subfamily Erebinae (formerly Catocalinae)

Erebidae: subfamilies Hypeninae, Calpinae. Ophiderinae, Eulepidotinae

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

Euteliidae Nolidae Noctuidae: Owlet Moths & Miller Moths

Other Links:

Upcoming Birding & Nature Tours in the Cemtral America Upcoming FONT Tours Elsewhere

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

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

Birds Mammals Amphibians, Reptiles Marine Life Plants

This large moth is known as the White Witch.
Large it is, up to 12 inches across.
Two more photos of this moth, and another of the Black Witch,
are in the list below, in the family Erebidae.
(above photo by James Audlin)

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.

A List of selected Moths in Central America:

Family URANIIDAE, Subfamily URANIINAE: the SCOOPWINGS

          URANIIDAE is a widely distributed family in the world.
          Worldwide, there are about 700 species in some 90 genera.

Urania leilus ______ EC (EBE:216)

Urania leilus is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular of the day-flying moths in South America. It could be misidentified as a swallowtail butterfly, but actually its wing pattern is unlike any swallowtail in the region where the moth occurs.
Urania sp. ______ EC

A Urania moth photographed on an outside wall after dark
during the FONT Tour in Ecuador in July 2013
(photo by Marie Gardner)

Family URANIIDAE, Subfamily EPIPLEMINAE
Calledapteryx sp. ______ EC
a SCOOPWING
Crypsicoela subocellata ______ EC

Family ADELIDAE: FAIRY LONGHORN MOTHS

Some moths in the ADELIDAE family occur in the Neotropics including Ecuador.

Family THYRIDIDAE, Subfamily SICULODINAE: the WINDOW-WINGED LEAF MOTHS
Siculodes aurorula ______ BR
BUDDHA MOTH

The Buddha Moth has only been seen rarely (a handful of times), in either Brazil, Guyana, or Trinidad.

Family COSSIDAE, Subfamily COSSULINAE: the COSSID MILLERS, or CARPENTER MILLERS

COSSIDAE is a cosmopolitan family. Worldwide, about 700 species have been identified.

Family PTEROPHORIDAE: PLUME MOTHS

Some moths in the PTEROPHORIDAE family occur in the Neotropics, including Ecuador.

A plume moth in the family Pterophoridae

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

MEGALOPYGIDAE is restricted to the New World. It greatest diversity is found in the Neotropics. 242 species have been described, mainly in Central & South America. Some are in North America.
Macara sp. ______ EC
Megalopyge zilli ______ EC
Trosia sp. ______ EC

Family GRACILLARIDAE: LEAF BLOTCH MINER MOTH

Some moths in the GRACILLARIDAE family occur in the Neotropics, including Ecuador.

Family TORTRICIDAE: LEAFROLLER MOTHS
Gorytvesica derelicta ______ EC endemic to Ecuador, in Loja province

Gorytvesica derelicta is easily distinguished by the white, dark-edged hindwings in the females.
Sparganothia sp. ______ EC

Family AIDIDAE

Moths of medium size. The forewings often have a grayish coloration that contrasts with the hindwings, which are reddish.
Only 2 genera are known in the family, with 6 known species.

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.

LIMACODIDAE is a very common family in the tropics, but it does occur in all of the world's zoogeographical regions. Worldwide, about 1,000 species have been identified.
Parasa sp. ______ EC

Family DALCERIDAE

Small to medium-sized moths. Orange, white, or yellow. Stout with a hairy body. Abdomen very scaly, with wide and rounded wings. Flight is weak, erratic and undulated, with tremulous flapping.
A Neotropical family. About 85 species are known.

Family LACTURIDAE

Mostly attractively-colored moths. In a tropical or subtropical family, in Central America and South America.

Family ZYGAENIDAE

Moths of diurnal habits, with aposematic coloration. Only a few species are attracted to light.
A cosmopolitan family, with about a thousand species.

Family CASTNIIDAE

Family MIMALLONIDAE

Small to medium-sized moths, with wide scaly wings. Bodies are stout and thick, very scaly.
The species in this family are in the Neotropics, with 4 species found in the Nearctic.
About 200 species in 27 genera have been described.
Mimallo amilia ______

Mimallo amilia is a pest to the guava fruit, Psidium guajaba.

Family LASIOCAMPIDAE: LAPPET MOTHS

Mostly small, but a few large moths, with wide wings and stout bodies. The adult moths are tan to brown in color.
The males of some species with diurnal habits have small compound eyes with long intermmatidial setae.
Diurnal males fly quickly. Otherwise, generally, adults are attracted to light.
The larvae are often called tent caterpillars. They rest in silky webs that they spin in tree crotches. They emerge from the tents to feed on the leaves of their host tree.
LASIOCAMPIDAE is a cosmopolitan family, better represented in tropical countries. About 1,500 species in 150 genera.

In Chile, there are about 15 native species of LASIOCAMPIDAE, in addition to non-native species in the genera Bombyx and Porthetria (the Gypsy Moth).
Euglyphis lignosa ______ CH
Macromphlia affinis ______ CH
Macromphila ancilla ______ CH
Macromphila dedecora ______ CH
Macromphila felispardalis ______ CH species described in 1957
Macromphila hypoleuca ______ CH
Macromphila nigrofasciata ______ CH species described in 1957
Macromphila nitida ______ CH
Macromphila oehrensi ______ CH species described in 1957
Macromphila purissima ______ CH
Macromphila rivularis ______ CH
Macromphila rubiginea ______ CH species described in 1957
Macromphila rubiginea rubiginea ______ CH
Macromphila rubiginea rufa ______ CH
Macromphila spadix ______ CH

Family EUPTEROTIDAE

Small to large wide-winged moths, with some females having diurnal habits.
A cosmopolitan family with about 300 species described in about 30 genera.

Family BOMBYCIDAE

Small to large moths, wide-winged. At rest, they tend to let the forewings hang and keep the hindwings away from the thorax. The abdomen tends to be folded upward or to the sides.
The family is well represented in the Neotropical region. Close to 350 species in 40 genera are known.

Small to large moths, wide-winged. At rest, they tend to let the forewings hang and keep the hindwings away from the thorax. The abdomen tends to be folded upward or to the sides.
The family is well represented in the Neotropical region. Close to 350 species in 40 genera are known.
Apatelodes sp. ______ EC (EBE:215co) (by some said to be in their own family, APATELODIDAE)

Moths in the Quentalia genus (below) have a strange resting posture. They habitually balance on their heads and the leading edge of their forewings, with their abdomens raised upward and tilted to one side.
Quentalia ojeda ______ EC
Quentalia roseilinea ______ occurs in Peru
ROSEILINEA TWISTER
Quentalia sp. ______ EC

Family PYRALIDAE: the PYRALID, or SNOUT MOTHS

Included in this grouping is what has been CRAMBIDAE, the subfamily PYRAUSTINAE (including SPILOMELINAE)

Subfamily PYRALINAE follows after this list.
Agathodes designalis (ph) ______ M#5240
SKY-POINTING MOTH

Sky-pointing Moth
(photo by Lisa Johnson)
Argyria sp. ______ EC
a SNOUT MOTH
Compacta sp. ______ EC
a SNOUT MOTH
Diaphania sp. (ph) ______ EC
MELONWORM MOTH

a Melonworm Moth
Incarcha argentilinea ______ EC occurs in Ecuador and Peru
JADE SCORPION MOTH
Polygrammodes elevata ______ occurs in South America, and Central America
MANY-SPOTTED MOTH
Polygrammodes sp. ______ EC (EBE:211)
Pyrausta tyralis (ph) ______ M#5069 occurs from Venezuela north to Mexico and the southern US, also in the West Indies
COFFEE-LOVING PYRAUSTA MOTH

Coffee-loving Pyrausta Moth
(photo by Lisa Johnson)
Sparagmia sp. ______ EC

Family PYRALIDAE, Subfamily PYRALINAE

Family PYRALIDAE, Subfamily PHYCITINAE
Cactoblastis cactorum ______ BR occurs in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, southern Brazil
SOUTH AMERICA CACTUS MOTH (or Nopal Moth)

Host plants: various Prickly Pears (Opuntia cacti).

Family HEDYLIDAE: AMERICAN MOTH-BUTTERFLIES (or BUTTERFLY MOTHS)

The HEDYLIDAE is an extant sister group of the butterfly sister families PAPILIONOIDES (the SWALLOWTAILS) and HESPERIOIDES (the SKIPPERS).
They have previously been treated as a tribe of GEOMETRIDAE (below, in this list).
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. They also occur in the Caribbean region in Jamaica, Cuba, and Trinidad.
Macrosoma subornata ______ EC
BUTTERFLY MOTH

Family CASTNIIDAE: GIANT BUTTERFLY MOTHS

Medium to large-sized moths. The adults have diurnal habits.
There are about 150 species in the family, living in temperate or warm environments, tropical and subtrapical.
Most are Neotropical.

Species in this family of diurnal moths, in the genus Zegara, are members of a color pattern mimicry system with the following butterflies:
Heliconius ismenius
Hypothyris euclesia, in ITHOMIINAE
Melinaea lilis (or ethra), in NYMPHAIDAE
Eresia mechanitis, in NYMPHAIDAE
and the Tiger Mimic-Whites, Dismorphia amphione and the Eunoe Mimic-White, Dismorphia eunoe.
Other Zegara species are mimetic with regard to moths in the genera Chetone and Dysschema, in ARCTIINAE.

The larvae of CASTNIIDAE are endophagous, that is they mine inside the stems of their host plants or dig tunnels in the ground for feeding on the roots.
Castnia psittachus ______ CH
CASTNID BUTTERFLY MOTH
Chilean name: Mariposa del Chagual
Castniomera humboldti ______ EC (EBE:206)

Family GEOMETRIDAE, larvae 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.
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.

Most GEOMETRIDAE have delicate wings that are open when sitting.

The caterpillars are called LOOPERS, or INCHWORMS for the way they move.
A photo of a GEOMETRIDAE caterpillar is in the book "Ecuador's Butterfly Ecology" (EBE:215co).

Above and in the 2 photos below: Moths in the Geometridae family
photographed during FONT birding and nature tours in Ecuador
(photos by Marie Gardner)
Aconcagua fessa ______ CH
Apicia valdiviana ______ CH
Cambogia sp. ______ EC
Chloropteryx opalaria ______ EC
Chlorotimandra viridis ______ CH
Coironalia cruciferaria ______ CH
Coironalla denticulata ______ CH
Dyspteris sp. ______ EC
a BADWING
Epimecis anonaria ______ EC
Epimecis sp. ______ EC (EBE:161)
Erateina leptocircata ______ EC (EBE:209)
Erateina staudingeri (ph) ______ (BMCR:205)
STAUDINGER'S LONGTAIL

Erateina staudingeri ranges from Mexico to southeastern Brazil.

Above & below: Erateina staudingeri
Erateina sp. ______ EC (EBE:161)
Eutomopepla rogenhoferi ______ EC
Ira sp. ______ EC
Lobopalta sp. ______ EC
Melanchroia chephise (ph) ______ M#6616 BR (BMCR:192c,194)
WHITE-TIPPED BLACK MOTH (or SNOWBUSH SPANWORM)

Melanchroia chephise ranges from Texas (and Florida) south to Paraguay.

White-tipped Black Moth
Monarcha magicaria ______ EC endemic to Ecuador
THE MAGICIAN
Nemoria erima ______ EC
Oospila venezuelata (ph) ______ EC (BMCR:201)
BLISTERED EMERALD

In South America, Oospila venezuelata occurs in Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru, between 1,500 and 4,500 feet above sea level.

Oospila venezuelata, the Blistered Emerald
Oxydia platypterata ______ EC
Oxydia trychiata ______ EC
Oxydia sp. ______ EC (EBE:161)
Pantherodes pardalaria ______ EC (EBE:161)

Pantherodes pardalaria has yellow spots as that of a jaguar.
Pero sp. ______ EC
Phrygionis polita ______ EC (EBE:161)
Phyle sp. ______ EC (EBE:161)
Physocleora sp. ______ EC
Pityeja histrionaria (ph) ______ EC (EBE:161)

Pityeja histrionaria ranges extensively in much of South America. It occurs from Mexico to southern Brazil.

Pityeja histrionaria
Pseudasellodes fenestraria ______ BR EC occurs from Costa Rica to Bolivia and southeast Brazil
WINDOW-WINGED MOTH

The Window-winged Moth inhabits cloud forest at elevations from about 2,400 to 5,400 feet above sea level.

In Pseudasellodes fenestraria, the hyaline windows in the wings perfectly simulate the nibblings of insect larvae from leaves.
The adult male may well rest during the day among leaves on the forest floor.
Racheospila astraeoides ______ EC
Racheospila sp. ______ EC (EBE:161)
Rhodochlora brunneipalpis ______ EC
Sericoptera mahometaria ______ EC (EBE:161)
Sicya sp. ______ EC
Smicropus eucyrta (ph) ______ EC (EBE:161)

See the similar Xanthyris flaveolata (below).

Smicropus eucyrta photographed during the FONT birding and nature tour
in southern Ecuador in April 2014
(photo by Marie Gardner)
Sphacelodes sp. ______ EC
Synchlora sp. ______ EC
Tricentra sp. ______ EC
Xanthyris flaveolata (ph) ______ BR EC (EBE:161) (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)
SAFFRON PLAYBOY

Xanthyris flaveolata occurs in tropical South America, and especially in Amazonia.

The bright yellow and black color theme of Xanthyris flaveolata is common among the day-flying moths in the Neotropics.
The species is aposematic, that is it is either itself poisonous to birds, or it mimics another species that is toxic and thus gets immunity from attack.
The adult moths are day-flying and often gather in small groups to imbibe mineralized moisture from wet soil along riverbanks or at puddles.

A Saffron Playboy, Xanthyris flaveolata,
photographed during a FONT tour in Amazonian Brazil
(photo by Armas Hill)

Family SATURNIIDAE

SATURNIIDAE has a wide distribution throughout the world, but especially in the Neotropics.
Worldwide, about 1,480 species are known in 165 genera.

Adult moths in SATURNIIDAE are spectacular because of their size, colors, and design.
Some, such as many in the genus AUTOMERIS, have large ocelli on the hindwings.
Those in the genus ROTHCHILDIA be very large, and with "windows" on their wings (with portions not covered by scales).
Some adults have reduced mouthparts and do not feed during their adult stage.
Caterpillars generally are big and spiny, and can be poisonous (see note with the genus LONOMIA).
Silky cocoons by those in SATURNIIDAE tend to be large, as with the famous silkworm.
A photo of a SATURNIIDAE caterpillar is in the book "Ecuador's Butterfly Ecology" (EBE:215co).

SATURNIIDAE in the genera Adetomeris, Cinommata, Ormiscodes, and Polythysana are day-flying relatively small moths whose larvae have branched spines.

In Chile, there are about 20 species in SATURNIIDAE. Those in the subfamily CERCOPHANINAE are endemic to Chile.

A moth in the Saturniidae family photographed during the
FONT birding and nature tour in Ecuador in July 2013,
a Copaxa species, in the list below, in the Saturniinae subfamily.
(photo by Marie Gardner)

Family SATURNIIDAE, Subfamily ARSENURINAE
Arsenura armida ______ (BMCR:46,49c) occurs in Central America and South America
Arsenura orbignyana ______ occurs in neotropical South America
Copiopteryx jehovah ______ occurs in South America
Copiopteryx semiramis ______ (BMCR:47) occurs from Mexico to South America.
Dysdaemonia boreas ______ (BMCR:48) occurs in tropical America
Dysdaemonia fosteri ______ occurs in Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina
Rhescyntis hippodamia ______ EC (BMCR:48,50c) (EBE:162) occurs from Mexico to Brazil
Titaea lemoulti ______ occurs in Amazonia
Titaea tamerlan ______ EC (BMCR:48,49c)
Titaea tamerian guayaquilensis ______ EC subspecies in southwest Ecuador and northwest Peru
Titaea tamerian nobilis ______ EC subspecies from Mexico to Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador

Family SATURNIIDAE, Subfamily CERATOCAMPINAE
Adeloneivaia acuta __ ___ (BMCR:51) occurs in South America
Adeloneivaia diluta ______ occurs in Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina
Adeloneivaia jason ______ EC (BMCR:51,56c) (EBE:165) occurs in South America and Central America
Adeloneivaia sabulosa sabulosa ______ occurs in Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina
Citheronia andina ______ EC (EBE:165)
Citheronia aroa ______ occurs in South America
Citheronia bellavista ______ (BMCR:52) occurs Central America and northern South America.
Citheronia guayaquila ______ occurs in Ecuador and Peru
Citheronia laocoon ______ occurs in southern South America
Citheronia maureillei ______ occurs in Bolivia
Citheronia phoronea ______ occurs in South America
Cithronia vogleri ______ occurs in southern South America
Citioica anthonilis ______ (BMCR:52) occurs in Central America and South America.
Eacles barnesi ______ occurs in South America
Eacles imperialis (ph) ______ M#7704 (BMCR:53)
Eacles imperialis cacicus ______ subspecies in South America
IMPERIAL MOTH

An Imperial Moth, Eacles imperialis
Eacles masoni ______ (BMCR:53) occurs in Central America and South America
Eacles penelope ______ occurs in South America
Psilopygida walkeri ______ occurs in South America
Rachesa breteuili ______ EC (EBE:165)
Syssphinx bidens ______ occurs in South America
Syssphinx molina ______ (BMCR:55) occurs from Mexico to Argentina

Family SATURNIIDAE, Subfamily HEMILEUCINAE

An Automeris moth in the family Saturniidae
(photo by Sherry Nelson)

A photo of an Automeris caterpillar is in the book "Ecuador's Butterfly Ecology" (EBE:215co).
Adetomeris erythrops ______ CH (WC:105) occurs in Chile
Adetomeris microphtalma ______ CH occurs in Chile
Automrina (or Automerula) auletes ______ occurs in tropical South America
Automeris abdominalis ______ EC (EBE:164)
Automeris amanda tucumana ______ occurs in southern Bolivia and Argentina
Automeris amoena ______ occurs in South America
Automeris atrolimbata ______ occurs in eastern South America
Automeris banus ______ EC (BMCR:57) (EBE:164) occurs in Central America and northern South America
Automeris belti zaruma (ph) ______ (BMCR:57,70c) occurs southwest Colombia, western Ecuador

Automeris belti, photographed during
the FONT tour in Ecuador in July 2013
(photo by Marie Gardner)
Automeris complicata ______ (BMCR:57) occurs in Venezuela
Automeris curvilinea ______ EC (EBE:163) occurs in Amazonia
Automeris denticulata ______ occurs in South America
Automeris gabriellae ______ occurs in the upper Amazon of Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil
Automeris grammodes ______ occurs in the Andes of South America
Automeris hamata ______ (BMCR:58) occurs in tropical America
Automeris harrisorum ______ occurs in the eastern Andes from Ecuador to Bolivia
Automeris jivaros ______ occurs in South America
Automeris jucunda ______ occurs in Panama and northern South America.
Automeris larra ______ occurs in South America
Automeris liberia ______ occurs in South America
Automeris melanops ______ occurs in Brazil
Automeris metzli ______ EC (BMCR:58,59) (EBE:164) occurs from Mexico to Venezuela, and in Colombia, Ecuador.
Automeris moresca ______ occurs in South America
Automeris pomifera ______ occurs in South America
Automeris postalbida ______ EC (EBE:163)
Automeris styx ______ occurs in Ecuador.
Automeris umbrosa ______ occurs in southern South America
Automeris vomona pichinchensis ______ EC (EBE:163)
Cerodirphia cutteri ______ EC occurs in Ecuador, at high altitude
Cerodirphia harrisae ______ occurs in central Peru, in the eastern Andes
Cinommata bistrigata ______ CH occurs in Chile
Dirphia avia ______ (BMCR:61,70c) occurs in Central America and South America
Dirphia cadioui ______ occurs in Bolivia
Dirphia centralis ______ occurs in Peru, in the eastern Andes
Dirphia crassifurca ______ occurs in Colombia
Dirphia panamensis ______ occurs in Central America and northern South America.
Dirphia somniculosa ______ occurs in South America
Dirphia tarquinia ______ occurs in Amazonia
Dirphiopsis cochabambensis ______ occurs in Bolivia
Dirphiopsis flora ______ occurs from Honduras to Bolivia
Dirphiopsis schreiteri ______ occurs in Bolivia
Gamelia abasia ______ occurs in South America
Gamelia rindgei ______ occurs in South America
Hylesia gigantex ______ (BMCR:63)
Hylesia gigantex orbana ______ subspecies in eastern South America
Hyperchiria incisa ______ occurs in South America
Hyperchiria nausica ______ (BMCR:64) occurs from Mexico to South America
Leucanella contempta ______ EC (EBE:164)
Leucanella flammans ______ EC (EBE:163)
Leucanella lynx ______ occurs in South America, in the Andes
Leucanella memusae ______ occurs in southern South America
Leucanella stuarti ______ occurs in Bolivia, Peru, Argentina.
Leucanella viettei ______ occurs in western Peru
Leucanella viridescens ______ occurs in southern South America

Moths in the Lonomia genus (below) are known for their highly venomous caterpillars, which are responsible for a few human deaths each year, especially in southern Brazil.
A typical incident involves a person unknowingly leaning against, placing their hand on, or rubbing their arm against a group of the caterpillars gathered on the trunk of a tree. The effects can be dramatic and severe, with massive internal hemorrhaging, renal failure, and hemolysis.
This medical syndrome is sometimes called Lonomiasis.
With only a small amount of venom, however, in the bristles of the caterpillar, the rate of human fatality is only between 1 and 2 per cent.

Adult Lonomia moths are fairly cryptic.
Lonomia achelous ______ occurs in South America
Molippa cruenta ______ occurs in southeast Brazil
Molippa latemedia ______ occurs in South America, at low altitudes, east of the Andes and in the Amazon basin
Molippa nibasa ______ (BMCR:66,70c) occurs in tropical America.
Molippa wittmeri ______ occurs in Peru
Ormiscodes amphinome ______ CH occurs in Chile
Ormiscodes cinnamomea ______ CH (WC:105) occurs in Chile
Ormiscodes cognata ______ CH occurs in Chile
Ormiscodes joiceyi ______ CH occurs in Chile
Ormiscodes nigrosignata ______ CH occurs in Chile
Ormiscodes penai ______ CH occurs in Chile, species described in 1995
Ormiscodes rufosignata ______ CH occurs in Chile
Ormiscodes socialis ______ CH occurs in Chile
Ormiscodes socialis socialis ______ CH
Ormiscodes socialis grisea ______ CH subspecies described in 1957
Periga parvibulbaceae ______ occurs in South America
Periphoba hircia ______ occurs in South America
Periphoba tarapoto ______ occurs in eastern Peru
Polythysana apollina ______ CH (WC:105)
"FOUR-EYED MOTH"

The adults of Polythysana apollina and other species in that genus are beautiful with striking patterns.
Polythysana cinerascens ______ CH occurs in Chile
Polythysana rubrescens ______ CH (WC:105) occurs in Chile
"FOUR-EYED MOTH"
Pseudautomeris lata ______ occurs in South America
Pseudautomeris pohli ______ EC occurs in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
Pseudautomeris salmonea ______ occurs in South America
Pseudodirphia agis ______ occurs in South America
Pseudodirphia menander ______ EC (EBE:165)
Pseudodirphia regia ______ (BMCR:68) occurs in Central America and northwest South America

Family SATURNIIDAE, Subfamily SATURNIINAE
Antheraea godmani ______ (BMCR:71) occurs from Mexico to Colombia
Copaxa andensis ______ occurs in South America
Copaxa bella ______ occurs in Peru, species described in 2005
Copaxa cineracea ______ occurs in Ecuador, Peru
Copaxa decrescens ______ occurs in South America
Copaxa denhezi ______ occurs in Colombia
Copaxa flavina miranda ______ occurs in Peru, Bolivia, Argentina
Copaxa herbuloti ______ occurs in east-central Peru, on cloud-forest mountaintops
Copaxa intermediata ______ occurs in Ecuador, species described in 2005
Copaxa litensis ______ occurs from northwest Ecuador
Copaxa lunula ______ occurs from central Peru to Bolivia, in cloud forest
Copaxa medea ______ occurs from Ecuador to Bolivia, in high altitude open country
Copaxa sapatoza ______ occurs in Colombia, in the Bogota valley
Copaxa simson ______ (BMCR:72) occurs in South America and Central America

A large moth, in the Rothschildia genus photographed during
the FONT birding and nature tour in Ecuador in July 2013
Rothschildia amoena ______ occurs in western Peru, in semi-arid canyons
Rothschildia arethusa ______ occurs in South America
Rothschildia arethusa rhodinia ______ subspecies at rather high altitudes in the Andes
Rothschildia aricia ______ EC
Rothschildia aricia xanthina ______ EC subspecies in Ecuador, Peru
Rothschildia aurota ______ occurs in South America
Rothschildia erycina ______ EC (BMCR:74) occurs from Mexico to Paraguay
Rothschildia erycina nigrescens ______ EC subspecies from Costa Rica to Ecuador
Rothschildia hesperus ______
Rothschildia hesperus hesperus ______ subspecies in South America
Rothschildia hopfferi ______ occurs in southern Brazil
Rothschildia jacobeae ______ occurs in southern South America
Rothschildia jorulloides ______ occurs in southwest Ecuador and northwest Peru
Rothschildia lebeau ______ M#7761.1 EC (BMCR:74,75c) (EBE:162)
LEBEAU'S SILKMOTH
Rothschildia schreiteriana ______ occurs in southern South America
Rothschildia tucumani ______ occurs in Argentina, Bolivia
Rothschildia zacateca ______ occurs in Colombia

Family SATURNIIDAE, Subfamily OXYTENINAE
Oxytenis sp. ______ EC (EBE:214co)
Therinia transversaria (ph) ______ EC (BMCR:76) (formerly Asthenidia transversaria) Wingspread 2.8 inches

Therinia transversaria photographed during
a FONT tour in Ecuador in July 2013
(photo by Fred Lesser, taken after dark with his i-phone)

Family SATURNIIDAE, Subfamily CERCOPHANINAE:
until recently, often treated as a separate family: CERCOPHANIDAE

The species in CERCOPHANINAE are all endemic to Chile. These are very beautiful moths that spend the day in the foliage of woodland trees and shrubs that are host plants for their larvae.
Cercophana frauenfeldi ______ CH occurs in Chile
Cercophana venusta ______ CH (WC:105) occurs in Chile
VENUSTA MOTH
Microdulia mirabilis ______ CH occurs in Chile
Neocercophana philippi ______ CH occurs in Chile

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

SPHINGIDAE is distributed throughout the world, and is well represented in the tropics.
Worldwide, there are about 1,200 species in 200 genera.

Moths in the family SPHINGIDAE are generally very strong flyers.

The sizes of the sphinx moths (or hawk moths) vary widely. In southeast Brazil, for example, they range from the smallest having a forewing length of 19mm (0.75 inches) to the largest with 92mm (3.6 inches).

Sphinx Moths photographed during two FONT tours in southern Ecuador
Above: in July 2013. Below: in April 2014.
(photos by Marie Gardner)
Adhemarius daphne ______ BR (BMCR:78) (in subfamily SMERINTHINAE)
Adhemarius daphne daphne ______ BR se (HSB:6a,6b) subspecies that occurs widely in South America

Other subspecies are: Adhemarius daphne interrupta that occurs in Mexico and Central America.
And A. d. cubanus occurring in Cuba.
Adhemarius eurysthenes ______ BR se

Adhemarius eurysthenes occurs only in South America, from Colombia to southern Brazil.
Adhemarius gagarini ______ BR se EC (HSB:8)

Only occurring in South America, Adhemarius gagarini has been found in French Guiana, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, and Brazil.
Adhemarius gannascus ______ BR se (BMCR:78) (EBE:167) (in subfamily SMERINTHINAE)

Adhemarius gannascus is found from Mexico to extreme southeast Brazil.
Adhemarius palmeri ______ BR se (BMCR:78) (HSB:10a,10b) (in subfamily SMERINTHINAE)

Adhemarius palmeri occurs in Costa Rica and Panama and widely across South America.
Aellopos ceculus ______ BR se (in subfamily Macroglossinae)

Aellopos ceculus is found widely across the Neotropics.
Aellopos fadus ______ M#7850 BR se (BMCR:84co) (in subfamily Macroglossinae)
FADAS SPHINX MOTH

Aellopos fadus occurs from Mexico to Argentina. In the US, it has been found in Florida, Texas, Arkansas, and Washington State.
Aellopos tantalus (ph) ______ M#7847 BR se (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)
TANTALUS SPHINX MOTH (or TANTALUS HUMMINGBIRD HAWKMOTH)

Aellopos tantalus is widely distributed across South America.

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 Aellopos titan and Aellopos fadus, but it is smaller and with only 3 white triangular marks in a line on the forewing, and a 4th above the outermost mark.

Tantalus Sphinx Moth
Aellopos titan titan ______ M#7849 (BMCR:81) (in subfamily Macroglossinae)
TITAN SPHINX MOTH

Aellopos titan titan titan occurs in Mexico, Central America, and across most of South America. That subspecies is also in the West Indies. It is replaced in Cuba by A. t. cubana.
The species is a strong flier, and has been found across the eastern United States, and even into southern Canada. Breeding has been confirmed in the US in Texas.
Overall, Aellopos titan is a common species. In Brazil, it is common.
Agrius cingulata (ph) ______ M#7771 BR se (BMCR:79) (HSB:32a,32b) (in subfamily SPHINGINAE)
PINK-SPOTTED HAWK MOTH

Agrius cingulata is primarily Neotropical, but it also breeds in the southern US, and strays have been recorded as far north as eastern Canada and even in western Europe.

Agrius cingulata is very common in Brazil where it is usually found during the hotter months of the year. In southeastern Brazil, there are no records from June or July, and only a few records from August.

Pink-spotted Hawk Moth
Aleuron chloroptera ______ BR se EC (EBE:166)

Aleuron chloroptera can be found throughout the Neotropical region. It is uncommon in southern Brazil.
Aleuron iphis ______ BR se (HSB:38a,38b)

Aleuron iphis can be found across the Neotropics. In southern Brazil it is uncommon.
Aleuron neglectum ______ BR se (BMCR:81) (in subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)

Aleuron neglectum is a Neotropical species with a similar range, characteristics and behavior as Aleuron chloroptera and Aleuron iphis.
Amphimoea walkeri ______ BR se (BMCR:79) (in subfamily SPHINGINAE)
DARWIN HAWKMOTH

Amphimoea walkeri occurs widely in Central America and South America.
Callionima calliomenae ______

Callionima calliomenae is known to occur in Venezuela and on Hispaniola in the West Indies.
Callionima denticulata ______

Callionima denticulata occurs from Mexico and Central America to South America in Bolivia and western Venezuela.
Callionima falcifera ______ M#7845 BR
Callionima falcifera falcifera ______ BR se (HSB:41)
FALCIFERA SPHINX MOTH

Callionima falcifera occurs from Central America south to central South America.
Callionima grisescens ______ BR
Callionima grisescens elegans ______ BR subspecies in northeast Brazil
Callionima grisescens grisescens ______ BR se subspecies across most of South America
Callionima inuus ______ BR se (HSB:43)

Callionima inuus occurs throughout the Neotropics.
Callionima nomius ______ BR se (BMCR:81) (HSB:44) (in subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)

Callionima nomius is found throughout the Neotropics. It is very common in Brazil.
Callionima pan ______ BR
Callionima pan pan ______ BR subspecies in northern South America
Callionima pan neivai ______ BR se subspecies in southern Brazil, where it is very rare

Callionima pan is found from Central America south to Amazonia. It is replaced by C. p. neivai in southern Brazil.
Callionima parce ______ BR se (HSB:46a,46b)

Callionima parce occurs widely from Mexico to Argentina.
Cocytius antaeus ______ M#7772 BR se (W:255)
GIANT SPHINX

Cocytius antaeus occurs throughout the Neotropics. In the US. it occurs in Florida, Texas, Arizona, Mississippi.
There are populations in the West Indies but no subspecies.
Cocytius beelzebuth ______ BR se (HSB:29)

Cocytius beelzebuth occurs in the Neotropics from Brazil and Bolivia north to Costa Rica.

The taxonomy of Cocytius beelzebuth may be changed to the genus Amphonyx.
Cocytius duponchel ______ M#7773 BR se (HSB:30a,30b,30c,30d,30e,30f,30g)
DUPONCHEL'S SPHINX MOTH

Cocytius duponchel ranges in Central America, and in northern and central South America. as well as in the Antilles.

The taxonomy of Cocytius duponchel may be changed to the genus Amphonyx.
Cocytius lucifer ______ BR se (BMCR:79) (HSB:31a,31b) (in subfamily SPHINGINAE)

Cocytius lucifer ranges in Central America and in northern and central South America.

The taxonomy of Cocytius lucifer may be changed to the genus Amphonyx.
Enyo cavifer ______ BR se

Enyo cavifer is a Neotropical species, in Central America and south to Brazil. In Brazil, it is rare.
Enyo gorgon ______ BR se (BMCR:81) (HSB:34a:female,34b:male) (in subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)

Enyo gorgon is a Neotropical species, in Central America and in most of South America. In Brazil, it is relatively common.
Enyo lugubris (ph) ______ M#7851 BR EC (EBE:166) (species described by Linnaeus in 1771)
Enyo lugubris delanoi ______ subspecies in the Galapagos Islands, described in 1962
Enyo lugubris lugubris ______ BR se EC (HSB:35a:female,35b:male) the widespread subspecies in South America
MOURNFUL SPHINX MOTH

In southeast Brazil, Enyo lugubris can be found all year, but the best months to see it are October and November.

Mournful Sphinx Moth
(photo by Lisa Johnson)
Enyo ocypete ______ M#7852 BR se (HSB:36a:female,36b:male,36c:male) (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)

Enyo ocypete is a widespread species occurring in most of the Neotropics. In Brazil, it is very common.
Enyon taedium ______ EC (EBE:166)
Erinnyis alope ______ M#7832 BR (BMCR:81) (W:278) (in subfamily Macroglossinae)
Erinnyis alope alope ______ BR se (HSB:74a,74b) subspecies across much of South America, and in Central America
Erinnyis alope dispersa ______ subspecies in the Galapagos Islands
ALOPE SPHINX MOTH

Erinnyis alope alope occurs from Caribbean islands and south through Central America and into South America to northern Argentina. In occurs in various southern US states, including Florida where it regularly breeds. Strays have occurred as far north as Massachusetts in the US and Saskatchewan in Canada.
As with other Erinnyis species, there is a separate subspecies in the Galapagos Islands, E. a. dispersa.
Erinnyis crameri ______ M#7836 BR se (BMCR:85co) (HSB:75a,75b) (in subfamily Macroglossinae)
CRAMER'S SPHINX MOTH

Erinnyis crameri occurs in the Neotropics from Mexico to Paraguay and southern Brazil, and in the West Indies and in the southern states of the US.
Erinnyis ello ______ M#7834 BR EC (W:266) (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)
Erinnyis ello ello ______ BR se EC (HSB:76a,76b,76c,76d) subspecies on mainland South America
Erinnyis ello encantada ______ (EBE:166) subspecies on the Galapagos Islands
ELLO SPHINX MOTH

Erinnyis ello ello occurs in the Neotropics as far south as northern Argentina. It also breeds in some southern US states: Florida, Texas, Arizona, California.
The subspecies E. e. encantada is found in the Galapagos Islands.
Erinnyis lassauxi ______ M#7833 BR se (HSB:77a,77b,77c)
LASSAUX'S SPHINX MOTH

Erinnyis lassauxi occurs from Mexico to northern Argentina. It is also found on some Caribbean islands, and in the southern US in Texas and possibly Arizona and Florida.
Erinnyis obscura ______ M#7837 BR
Erinnyis obscura conformis ______ subspecies in the Galapagos Islands
Erinnyis obscura obscura ______ BR se (HSB:78a,78b) subspecies on mainland South America
OBSCURE SPHINX MOTH

Erinnyis obscura occurs from Mexico to Argentina, and in the southern states of the US.
The subspecies E. o. conformis is in the Galapagos Islands.
Erinnyis oenotrus ______ M#7835 BR se (HSB:79a,79b)
OLEANDER SPHINX MOTH (or OENOTRUS SPHINX)

Erinnyis oenotrus occurs from Mexico and the West Indies south to northern Argentina. The species also strays into the southern US states of Florida and Texas.
Eumorpha analis ______ BR se

Eumorpha analis occurs in central South America, in northern Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay.
In Brazil, it is very common.
Eumorpha anchemolus ______ M#7857 BR se (HSB:82)

Eumorpha anchemolus occurs from southern Mexico to northern Argentina.
Eumorpha fasciatus ______ M#7865 BR se (BMCR:81) (HSB:83a,83b) (in subfamily Macroglossinae)
BANDED SPHINX MOTH

Eumorpha fasciatus occurs from Mexico to Argentina, and on Caribbean islands. It breeds in the southern US in the Carolinas, Florida, and west along the Gulf of Mexico and eastern Texas, and north to Missouri.
Adults migrate long distances in the late summer in the Northern Hemisphere and have been found as far north as Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Ontario.
A second subspecies, E. f. tupaci, is found only in the Galapagos Islands.
Eumorpha labruscae (ph) ______ M#7866 BR se (BMCR:84co) (in subfamily Macroglossinae) (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)
GAUDY SPHINX MOTH

Eumorpha labruscae is a widespread species, ranging from Mexico to Argentina, and on Caribbean islands and also in the Nearctic region, where it has occurred as far north as Michigan in the US and Saskatchewan.
A second subspecies, E. l. yupanquii, occurs in the Galapagos Islands.

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: two photographs of the caterpillar of the Gaudy Sphinx Moth
(photos by Cade Johnson)
Below: Two photographs of the adult Gaudy Sphinx Moth,
one with the colorful wings open
(photos by Helene Kyrk)
Eumorpha megaeacus ______ M#7862 BR se

Eumorpha megaeacus occurs from Mexico to Brazil.
Eumorpha obliquus ______ BR
Eumorpha obliquus orientis ______ BR se

The nominate, Eumorpha obliqiuus obliquus, occurs from Mexico to Bolivia. It is replaced in eastern Brazil by E. o. orientis.
Eumorpha phorbas ______ BR se

Eumorpha phorbas occurs from Mexico to southern Brazil.
Eumorpha translineatus ______ BR se (HSB:88)

Eumorpha translineatus has been found only in Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina.
Eumorpha vitis vitis ______ M#7864 BR se (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)
VINE SPHINX MOTH

Eumorpha vitis vitis ranges from Mexico to Argentina. It also breeds in the US in southern Florida and much of Texas.
Two subspecies occur on Caribbean islands. E. v. fuscatus is on Saint Lucia, Guadeloupe, and Martinique.
E. v. hesperidum is on Jamaica.
Eumorpha sp. ______ EC (EBE:167)
Eupyrrhoglossum sagra ______ M#7846.1 BRse
SAGRA SPHINX MOTH

Eupyrrhoglossum sagra can be found across the Neotropics, including on Caribbean islands and in Cuba. It has recently been found breeding in southern Florida.
Euryglotis aper ______ EC (EBE:168)
Hemeroplanes longistriga ______ BR se

Hemeroplanes longistriga seems to have a restricted range in central South America.
Hemeroplanes ornatus ______ BR se (BMCR:82) (HSB:54a,54b,54c,54d) (in subfamily Macroglossinae)

Hemeroplanes ornatus occurs widely from Mexico to southern Brazil.
Hemeroplanes triptolemus ______ BR se (BMCR:82) (in subfamily Macroglossinae)

Hemeroplanes triptolemus occurs widely from Mexico to Brazil.
Hyles annei ______ CH (WC:105)
MONROY

Hyles annei occurs in central and northern Chile and Bolivia. In Chile, it is found from Atacama to Maule.

The Monroy is most active at dusk and dawn. But on some moonlit nights, hundreds of the adult moths will gather to feed at flowers.
Hyles euphorbiarum ______ BR se (HSB:110a,110b)

Hyles euphorbiarum occurs from northeast Brazil to southern Argentina. It is common in Brazil.
Isognathus allamandae ______ BR se

The range of Isognathus allamandae is in South America from Venezuela to southeast Brazil.
Isognathus australis ______ BR se (HSB:70)

Isognathus australis is found only in northeast and southeast Brazil. It was thought previously to be a subspecies of Isognathus rimosa (below).
Generally, Isognathus australis is common.
Isognathus caricae ______ BR
Isognathus caricae caricae ______ BR se subspecies in central and eastern South America
Isognathus caricae rainermarxi ______ subspecies in Peru, on the west side of the Andes

The nominate, Isognathus caricae caricae, occurs from Mexico to southeast South America. A second subspecies, I. c. rainermarxi, was described in 1999 in Peru on the west side of the Andes Mountains.
Isognatus leachii ______ BR se (HSB:72a,72b,72c)

Isognatus leachii occurs from Central America to Argentina.
Isognathus menechus ______ BR se

Isognathus menechus is widely distributed across South America south to southern Brazil and northern Argentina.
Isognathus swainsonii ______ BR se

Isognathus swainsonii can be found from southern Central America to Brazil.
Lintneria justiciae ______ BR se (recently in the genus Sphinx)

Lintneria justiciae occurs in eastern Brazil, Uruguay, and northern Argentina. It is an uncommon species.
Madoryx bubastus ______ BR
Madoryx bubastus bubastus ______ BR se subspecies from Venezuela to southern Brazil
Madoryx oictus oictus ______ BR se

Madoryx oictus oictus occurs widely from Mexico to southern Brazil. It is replaced in Jamaica by M. o. jamicensis.
Madoryx plutonius plutonius ______ BR se (BMCR:82) (HSB:48) (in subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)

Madoryx plutonius plutonius occurs widely in South America. It is replaced in Central America by M. p. dentatus.
Manduca albiplaga ______ M#7779 BR se

Manduca albiplaga occurs from Mexico to northern Argentina.
Manduca brasiliensis ______ BR se (HSB:14/21)

Manduca brasiliensis only occurs in southern Brazil, where it is very common.
Manduca contracta ______ BR se (HSB:15a,15b)

Manduca contracta occurs from eastern Bolivia and Paraguay to southern Brazil, and south to Uruguay and northern Argentina.
Manduca dalica ______ BR
Manduca dalica dalica ______ subspecies in northern South America and Central America
Manduca dalica anthina ______ BR se subspecies in southern Brazil
Manduca diffissa ______ BR
Manduca diffissa diffissa ______ subspecies in eastern Argentina and Uruguay
Manduca diffissa mesosa ______ subspecies in northern Argentina
Manduca diffissa petuniae ______ BR se (HSB:17a,17b,17c) subspecies in southern Brazil
Manduca diffissa tropicalis ______ BR subspecies from Minas Gerais, in Brazil, north to Colombia
Manduca diffissa zischkai ______ subspecies in Bolivia, described in 1952
Manduca florestan ______ M#7782 BR se (BMCR:79,80c) (HSB:18) (in subfamily SPHINGINAE)

Manduca florestan occurs from southeast Arizona and southwest New Mexico in the US south through Central America to northern Argentina.
Manduca hannibal ______ BR
Manduca hannibal hamilcar ______ BR se (HSB:19a,19b,19c) subspecies in eastern Brazil

Two subspecies of Manduca hannibal occur from southern Central America south into Bolivia and Brazil.
M. h. hamilcar occurs in northeast, southeast, and parts of southern Brazil.
M. h. mayeri occurs in Mexico.
Manduca incisa ______ BR se (HSB:20)

Manduca incisa is found across central South America, including southern Brazil.
Manduca janira ______ BR se (HSB:14/21)

Manduca janira has only been found in southeast Brazil. The type specimen was from Rio de Janeiro in 1911.
There is one unconfirmed record from Bolivia.
Manduca lefeburei ______ BR
Manduca lefeburei lefeburei ______ BR se (HSB:22)

The nominate Manduca lefeburei lefeburei occurs widely across Central America and South America, while it is replaced in Mexico by M. l. bossardi.
Manduca leucospila ______ BR se (HSB:23)

Manduca leucospila is found only in South America.
Manduca lichenea ______ BR se
Manduca neglecta ______ EC (EBE:167)
Manduca rustica (ph) ______ M#7778 BR (W:249)
Manduca rustica calapagensis ______ subspecies in the Galapagos Islands
Manduca rustica rustica ______ BR se (HSB:24) subspecies across South America, and further north
RUSTIC SPHINX MOTH

Manduca rustica rustica has a broad distribution across South America, and further north in the West Indies, Central America. and to the mid-Atlantic states of the US.
Other subspecies are in: Mexico, Cuba, the Lesser Antilles, and the Galapagos islands,

Rustic Sphinx Moth
Manduca sexta (ph) ______ M#7775 BR (W:248) (species described by Linnaeus in 1763)
Manduca sexta leucoptera ______ subspecies in the Galapagos Islands
Manduca sexta paphus ______ BR se (HSB:25) subspecies from Venezuela to part of Argentina
Manduca sexta saliensis ______ subspecies in part of Argentina
CAROLINA SPHINX (TOBACCO HORNWORM)

Manduca sexta sexta occurs widely across the USA and in Central America. It is replaced across much of South America from Venezuela to Argentina by M. s. paphus.
Other subspecies are in: Argentina, Chile, the Galapagos Islands, and Jamaica, the Dominican Republic. and Saint Lucia.

Carolina Sphinx
(photo by Stephen Kloiber)
Neococytius cluentius ______ M#7774 BR se (BMCR:79) (HSB:27a,27b,27c) (in subfamily Sphinginae)

Neococytius cluentius occurs throughout Central America, and in most of South America, as well as in the West Indies and Cuba. It occasionally strays into the US as far north as Michigan.
Neogene dynacus ______ BR se

Neogene dynacus occurs in northeast, southeast, and central Brazil including Amazonia. But in far-southern Brazil it is replaced by the similar but larger Neogene reevei (below).
Neogene reevei ______ BR
Nyceryx alophus ______ BR
Nyceryx alophus alophus ______ BR se subspecies across much of South America
Nyceryx alophus ixion ______ subspecies in southern South America, in Argentina
Nyceryx coffaeae ______ (BMCR:85co) (HSB:57a,57b) (in subfamily Macroglossinae)

Nyceryx coffaeae occurs widely in the Neotropics.
Nyceryx continua ______ BR
Nyceryx continua continua ______ BR se subspecies in Brazil
Nyceryx continua cratera ______ subspecies in Bolivia and Peru

In Brazil, Nyceryx continua is uncommon.
Nyceryx nictitans ______ BR
Nyceryx nictitans nictitans ______ BR se subspecies from northern South America to southern Brazil
Nyceryx nicitans saturata ______ subspecies in western South America, including Peru

Nyceryx nicititans is a rare species in much of its range.
Nyceryx riscus ______ BR se (HSB:60a,60b)

Nyceryx riscus occurs from Mexico to Argentina.
Orecta lycidas ______ BR
Orecta lycidas lycidas ______ BR se subspecies across much of South America
Orecta lycidas eos ______ subspecies in Argentina and Uruguay

Orecta lycidas is a very rare species in Brazil.
Oryba kadeni ______ BRse (BMCR:82) (in subfamily Macroglossinae)

Oryba kadeni has been reported from Central America south to southern Brazil. In Brazil, it is uncommon.
Pachylia darceta ______ EC (BMCR:83) (EBE:167) (in subfamily MACROGLOSSINAE)
Pachylia ficus (ph) ______ M#7841 BR se (HSB:49) (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)
FIG SPHINX MOTH

Pachylia ficus can be found throughout Central America and South America. In the US, it breeds in south Florida, and also occurs in Texas, Louisiana, and Arizona.

Fig Sphinx Moth
Pachylia syces syces ______ BR se (HSB:50)

The nominate, Pachylia syces syces, occurs from Mexico to southern Brazil and Uruguay. It is replaced by P. s. insularis in the Caribbean islands of the West Indies.
Pachylioides resumens ______ M#7842 BR se (BMCR:83) (HSB:51a,51b) (in subfamily Macroglossinae)

Pachylioides resumens occurs throughout the Neotropics, including in Caribbean islands. Strays have been reported in the US in Florida and Texas.
In southern Brazil, it is very common.
Perigonia lusca lusca (ph) ______ M#7846 BR se (BMCR:83) (HSB:61a,61b) (in subfamily Macroglossinae)
HALF-BLIND SPHINX MOTH

Perigonia lusca lusca occurs from Mexico to Brazil. In the US, it is locally common in parts of Florida.
In Brazil, P. l. lusca is very common.

The other subspecies, P. l. continua, is found on two islands off the Pacific coast of Mexico.

Half-blind Sphinx Moth
Perigonia pallida ______ BR se

Perigonia pallida occurs widely across South America.
Perigonia stulta ______ BR se

Perigonia stulta is found across the Neotropics as far north as Guatemala.
Phryxus caicus ______ M#7840 BR se (BMCR:83) (in subfamily Macroglossinae)
CAICUS SPHINX MOTH

Phryxus caicus occurs in the Neotropics from Mexico to South America. It also breeds in Florida in the US, and strays north to South Carolina.
Protambulyx astygonus ______ BR se (HSB:1a,1b)

Protambulyx astygonus has a restricted range in central South America.
Protambulyx eurycles ______ BR se (BMCR:78) (HSB:2) (in subfamily SMERINTHINAE)

Protambulyx eurycles is found in South America from Colombia to southern Brazil.
Protambulyx strigilis ______ M#7818 BR se (BMCR:78) (HSB:3) (W:255) (in subfamily Smerinthinae) (species described by Linnaeus in 1771)
STREAKED SPHINX MOTH

Protambulyx strigilis occurs in Central America and south to northern Argentina.
Protambulyx sulphurea ______ BR se

Protambulyx sulphurea has been found in Venezuela, Bolivia, and Brazil.
Pseudosphinx tetrio (ph) ______ M#7830 BR se (BMCR:83) (HSB:68a:female,68b:male,68c:male) (in subfamily Macroglossinae) (species described by Linnaeus in 1771)
TETRIO SPHINX MOTH

Pseudosphinx tetrio occurs widely from Mexico and the West Indies to Central America and South America south to Brazil.
In the US, breeding populations occur in Florida, and occasionally in Texas. Strays have wandered in the US 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.
Unzela japix ______ BR
Unzela japix japix ______ subspecies in northern South America
Unzela japix discrepans ______ BR se (HSB:40) subspecies in southern Brazil

The nominate, Unzela japix japix. occurs from Mexico to Amazonia. It is replaced by U. j. discrepans in southern Brazil.
Xylophanes aglaor ______ BR se (HSB:90)

Xylophanes aglaor has been found only in Brazil, and possibly Bolivia.
Xylophanes anubus ______ BR se (HSB:91a,91b,91c)

Xylophanes anubus occurs from widely from Mexico to Argentina.
Xylophanes ceratomioides ______ M#7891.1 BR se EC (EBE:168) (HSB:92)

Xylophanes ceratomioides occurs from central Mexico to northern Argentina.
Xylophanes chiron nechus ______ BR se (BMCR:84,85co) (HSB:93a,93b) (in subfamily Macroglossinae)

Xylophanes chiron nechus is found across most of Central America and South America.
Other subspecies are:
X. c. chiron in Jamaica,
X. c. cubanus in Cuba,
X. c. lucianus on Saint Lucia, Martinique, and on nearby islands.
Xylophanes depuiseti ______ BR se

Xylophanes depuiseti is found only in southern and southeastern Brazil. It is a rare species.
Xylophanes epaphus ______ BR se

Xylophanes epaphus ranges in the Neotropics. It seems to be uncommon in Brazil.
Xylophanes hydrata ______ BR se (HSB:96)

Xylophanes hydrata occurs in South America. It is common in Brazil.
Xylophanes indistincta ______ BR se

Xylophanes indistincta is found only in southern and southeastern Brazil, where it is common.
Xylophanes isaon ______ BR se

Xylophanes isaon occurs in Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina. It is common.
Xylophanes kiefferii ______ EC (EBE:168)
Xylophanes loelia ______ BR se (HSB:99)

Xylophanes loelia occurs from Central America south to northern Argentina.
Xylophanes marginalis ______ BR se (HSB:100)

Xylophanes marginalis is known to occur in southern and southeastern Brazil, Uruguay, and northern Argentina.
Seemingly, outside that region, there are 3 specimens of it in a museum in Amazonian Brazil.
Xylophanes marginalis was originally described as a subspecies of Xylophanes tyndarus.
Xylophanes pistacina ______ BR se

Xylophanes pistacina occurs from Mexico to southern Brazil. It is common in Brazil.
Xylophanes pluto ______ M#7857 BR se (BMCR:83) (HSB:102a,102b) (W:278) (in subfamily Macroglossinae)
PLUTO SPHINX MOTH

Xylophanes pluto has a wide range from Mexico to northern Argentina, including also the West Indies and in the US southern Texas and Florida.
Xylophanes porcus continentalis ______ M#7888 BR se (HSB:103)
PORCUS SPHINX MOTH

Xylophanes porcus continentalis is found across Central America and South America. It is replaced in Cuba by the nominate X. p. porcus.
Xylophanes schausi ______ BR
Xylophanes schausi schausi ______ BR se (HSB:104) subspecies in southeast Brazil
Xylophanes schausi serenus ______ BR subspecies western and northern Brazil
Xylophanes tersa tersa (ph) ______ M#7890 BR se (BMCR:84co) (HSB:105a,105b,105c) (W:278) (in subfamily Macroglossinae) (species described by Linnaeus in 1771)
TERSA SPHINX MOTH

Xylophanes tersa tersa occurs widely from southern Canada to Argentina. The most northerly breeding record is in New Jersey.
The nominate is replaced by the much darker newly-described subspecies X. t. chaconi in Venezuela, described in 1996.

Tersa Sphinx Moth
(photo by Lisa Johnson)
Xylophanes thyelia thyelia ______ BR se (HSB:106) (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)

Xylophanes thyelia thyelia occurs across most of South America. It is replaced by X. t. salvini in Central America.
Xylophanes titana ______ BR se (HSB:107)

Xylophanes titana occurs from Mexico to Argentina.
Xylophanes tyndarus ______ BR se (HSB:108)

Xylophanes tyndarus occurs from Mexico to Argentina.
Xylophanes xylobotes ______ BR se

Xylophanes xylobotes has a restricted range in southern Brazil, where it is generally common.

Family LYMANTRIIDAE: TUSSOCK MOTHS

Most of LYMANTRIIDAE are found in the tropics of the Old World, but some occur in the Neotropics.
There are about 2,000 species worldwide.
Desmoloma sp. ______ EC

Family SEMATURIDAE: AMERICAN SWALLOWTAIL MOTHS

Large day-flying or night-flying moths, usually tailed and similar to URANIIDAE (at the beginning of this list).
The position of the family is not certain, but is usually considered related to the superfamily GEOMETROIDEA (above, in this list, prior to the Giant Silk Moths).

In the SEMATURIDAE, there are about 30 species in the Neotropics, and a single species in South Africa.

Family NOTODONTIDAE: PROMINENTS

Medium to large moths. A few of them small.

The family is nearly cosmopolitan, with more than 2,800 species having been described.
Cerura bratteata ______ EC
Disphragis sp. ______ EC
Nystalea sp. ______ EC (EBE:214co)

In the family NOTODONTIDAE (above), the Subfamily DIOPTINAE

DIOPTINAE are confined to the New World, particularly in the tropics. About 500 species have been described to date.

They are brightly colored, and could be confused with ARCTIIDS.

A moth in the subfamily Dioptinae photographed
during the FONT tour in Ecuador in July 2013
(photo by Marie Gardner)

Family DOIDAE

Sometimes considered a subfamily of NOTODONTIDAE (above).
Some moths in DOIDAE have been placed in ARCTIIDAE (later in this list, now, as ARCTIINAE)

A Neotropical family from western North America to northern South America.
Between 7 and 9 species have been described in 2 or 3 genera.

NOCTUID MOTHS, in the EREBIDAE, NOLIDAE, NOCTUIDAE

Some now in EREBIDAE were in NOCTUIDAE.

NOCTUID MOTHS can be small, or large. Most have gray or opaque colors, although some can be striking.
Generally they have a stout body.
They are broadly distributed throughout the world and very diverse in tropical regions.

Above, and in the 2 photos below, some Noctuid Moths photographed
during the FONT birding and nature tour in southern Ecuador in July 2013.
Now in either Erebidae (previously in Noctuidae) or still in Noctuidae.
(photos by Marie Gardner)

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.

Family EREBIDAE, Subfamily EREBINAE (previously the subfamily 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.
Achaea janata ______ CH (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)
Anticarsia gemmatalis ______ H#8574 CH
VELVETBEAN CATERPILLAR MOTH
Ascalapha odorata (ph) ______ M#8649 CH EC (BMCR:228) (EBE:169) (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)
the BLACK WITCH

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.

Above: a male Black Witch; below a female.
(upper photo courtesy of David MacDonald; lower photo by Sherry Nelson)
Euclidia runica ______ CH
Euclidia vittata ______ CH
Melipotis cellaris ______ M#8601 CH occurs from Mexico to Argentina and Chile; also in the West Indies and the US
CELLAR MELIPOTIS MOTH
Melipotis paracellaris ______ CH species described in 1984
Melipotis trujillensis ______ CH
Melipotis walkeri ______ CH
Mocis disseverans ______ CH
Mocis latipes ______ M#8743 CH
SMALL MOCIS
Mocis megas ______ CH
Ophideres apta ______ CH
Thysania agrippina (ph) ______ (BMCR:234)
the WHITE WITCH (other names are: Birdwing Moth, Ghost Moth, Great Gray Witch, Great Owlet Moth)

Thysania agrippina has a wingspan of up to 12 inches. This very large moth occurs in South America, Central America, Mexico, and it strays north into Texas in the US.

Above and below: the White Witch
Thysania zenobia (ph) ______ M#8647 BR EC (EBE:169)
THE OWL MOTH

The Owl Moth occurs in Central America and South America as far south at least to the southernmost Brazilian state, Rio Grande do Sul. It is also found in the Galapagos Islands, and on occasion in North America.

Cryptically blending in on the side of a tree,
an Owl Moth
(photo by Lisa Johnson)
Zale lunata (ph) ______ M#8689 CH
LUNATE ZALE

Lunate Zale
(photo by Rise Hill)

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.
Hypena sp. ______ EC among places in Ecuador, at and near Tandavapa Lodge

Family EREBIDAE, Subfamily CALPINAE
Baecula gallopavo ______
GALLOPAVO

Baecula gallopavo was previously Lepidodes gallpavo or Lepidodes limbulata.
Its range is in northern South America and Central America.
Ceroctena amynta ______
Epitausa perseverans ______
Gorgone sp. ______
Letis caligula ______
Helia subjugua ______
Herminodes tessellata ______
Letis herilia ______ BR range includes Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, Brazil; also Central America
Letis macuilicollis ______ EC
Letis scops ______ BR CH EC range includes Venezuela, Guyana, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Chile
SCOPS WITCH
Sosxetra grata (ph) ______ EC occurs from Costa Rica to Peru
WALKER'S MOTH

Sosxetra grata is found in cloud forest from 1,200 to 5,400 feet above sea level.

The adult Sosxetra grata, or Walker's Moth, is painted in cryptic colors that match bark, dead leaves, and twigs, as do many of noctuid moths.
It does particularly well at looking like a rotten or fungus-ridden fragment of a dead leaf, no matter where it sits during the day.

Walker's Moth, Sosxetra grata,
photographed during a FONT tour in Ecuador
(photo by Marie Gardner)
Tautobriga euspila ______

Family EREBIDAE, Subfamily OPHIDERINAE
Ascalapha odorata ______ CH (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)
Anticarsia gemmatalis ______ CH
Gonodonta pyrgo ______ CH
Ophideres apta ______ CH

Family EREBIDAE, Subfamily EULEPIDOTINAE
Eulepidotis ilyrias ______
Eulepidotis perlata ______

Family EREBIDAE, Subfamily ARCTIINAE: TIGER MOTHS, WASP MOTHS

The name ARCTIINAE is from the Latin for "bear", Arctos, due to the furry larvae.

TIGER MOTHS (in the tribe ARCTIINI) are spectacular in a number of ways. Not only are they numerous, and there are many species (as many 11,000 species worldwide), they also often have brilliant coloration, due to their toxicity (aposematism). Their attractive colors include red, black, and yellow.
For their defense, they can detect sounds and ultrasounds (as against bats). And they have other defense mechanisms, such as cataleptic states (simulating death), and the ability to produce various repulsive substances.
ARCTID MOTHS (in ARCTIINI) are large and wide-winged.
They feed on a large variety of plants, especially herbs. Some species feed on algae. They are often poliphagous.
Host plants that the caterpillars feed on include those in: Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, Rutaceae, and Ulmaceae.
Some photos of ARCTIINAE caterpillars are in the book "Ecuador's Butterfly Ecology" (EBE:215co).

WASP MOTHS (in the tribe CTENUCHINI) imitate wasps almost perfectly (except for the wasp's abdominal constriction).
Caterpillars are mostly furry and brilliantly colored, to show their toxicity. Some species can cause skin irritations in humans.
WASP MOTHS are diurnal, and abundant in the Neotropics. They have narrow wings, often metallic.

Another tribe in ARCTIINAE is PERICOPINI. They are diurnal, fragile and delicate. Some are large. The adults have attractive colors and are sexually dimorphic. Some species are aposematic or mimetic of other lepidoptera.
PERICOPINI are restricted to the New World, and occur especially in the Neotropics.



Above and below: moths in the subfamily Arctiinae photographed
during the FONT tour in southern and western Ecuador in July 2013
(photos by Marie Gardner)

Notice how the moth in the upper photo goes to where it blends in, or nearly so.
Both photos were taken in an outside porch area after dark.
Agylla hermanilla ______
Amastus albipuncta ______
Amastus coccinator ______ EC (EBE:171)
Amastus epicostosia ______ EC (BMCR:247) (EBE:171)
Amaxia flavicollis ______
Amaxia lepida ______
Antichloris eriphia ______
Bertholdia flavidorsata ______
Cacostatia flaviventralis ______
Calodesma sp. ______
Carales astur ______
Chetone angulosa (ph) ______ (BMCR:251) occurs in northern South America including Venezuela, and Central America

Chetone angulosa
Chetone histria ______
Chlorhoda thoracica ______
Chrysocale regalis ______ EC
Cissura unilineata ______
Coreura sp. ______ EC (EBE:170)
Correbia lycoides ______

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 rain forests and cloud forests of Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru.
Cosmosoma auge ______
Cosmosoma demantria ______ (in CTENUCHINI) occurs from Mexico to Peru
BLUE-TAILED BEE-MIMIC
Cosmosoma entella ______
Cosmosoma flavothorax ______
Cosmosoma galatea ______
Cosmosoma neleum ______
Cosmosoma ockendeni ______
Cosmosoma sectinota ______
Cosmosoma teuthras ______
Cosmosoma sp. ______ EC
Cratoplastis diluta ______
Cresera optimus ______
Crocomela colorata ______
Ctenuchiini sp. ______ EC (EBE:171)
Dinia aeagrus ______ EC (EBE:171)
SCARLET-TIPPED WASP MIMIC-MOTH
Disopage splendens ______
Dysschema joiceyi ______ EC (EBE:170)
Echeta grandis ______
Elysius sebrus ______
Epimolis haemastica ______
Ernassa justina ______
Eucereon davidi ______
Eucereon sp. ______ EC
Eupseudosoma involuta ______ (has previously been Eupseudosoma nivea and Eupseudosoma immaculata)

Eupseudosoma involuta occurs in the Guyanas and Brazil, also in Central America and in the US in Florida.
Halysidota orientalis (ph) ______ EC occurs in South America from Colombia to Bolivia and Brazil, also in Central America and Mexico

Halysidota orientalis
Halysidota schausi ______ (in ARCTIINI, subtribe PHAEGOPTERINA)
SCHAUS' TUSSOCK MOTH

Halysidota schausi occurs in South America south to Peru. Also Central America, Mexico, and Texas.
Himerarctica griseipennis ______
Homoeocera crassa ______
Horama panthalon ______ M#8287
H. p. panthalon ______ subspecies in Colombia and Venezuela, also Panama and the Antilles
H. p. viridifusca ______ BR subspecies in southern Brazil, northern Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay
TEXAS WASP MOTH
Hypercompe cunigunda ______
Hypercombe ocularia ______
Hypercompe theophila ______ EC (EBE:171)
Hypocrita aletta ______
Hypocrita calida ______ EC (EBE:170)
Hypocrita plagifera ______
Hypocrita sp. ______ EC (EBE:170)
Idalus intermedia ______
Idalus sp. ______ EC (EBE:171)
Lophocampa distincta ______ AR BR CL EC PE
L. d. binominata ______ subspecies in Argentina
L. d. brasilibia ______ subspecies in Brazil and Peru
L. d. brunnescens ______ subspecies in Peru
L. d. distincta ______ subspecies in Ecuador and Peru
L. d. obsolescens ______ subspecies in Colombia, Ecuador
ROTHCHILD'S MARBLED TIGER
Lophocampa dognini ______
Lophocampa sp. (ph) ______ EC

This caterpillar in the Lophcampa genus was photographed
during the FONT tour in Ecuador in April 2013
(photo by Marie Gardner)
Loxophlebia flavipicta ______
Loxophlebia nomia ______ EC (EBE:171)
Malla toulgoetae ______ EC (EBE:170)
Melese intensa ______ EC (EBE:170)
Nodozana boudinoti ______ (in subfamily Lithosiinae)
RED-BARRED FOOTMAN

The Red-barred Footman is known from Peru and Guyana, but it undoubtedly must occur in between in Brazil.

Nodozana boudinoti inhabits rainforest at elevations between about 600 and 2,400 feet above sea level.
Ochrodota sp. ______ EC (EBE:215co)
Onythes pallidicosta ______ EC
Ormetica ameoidas ______
Ormetica packardi ______
Ormetica sypilus ______
Pachydota nervosa ______
Phaeo sp. ______ EC (EBE:171)
Pheia sp. ______
Phoenicoprocta vacillans ______
Solaris nervosa ______ EC (EBE:171)
Symphlebia sp. ______ EC
Theages decoram ______
Thysanoprymna superba ______
Viviennea griseonitens ______
Viviennea moma ______
Utetheisa ornatrix (ph) ______
ORNATE MOTH (or ORNAMENTED UTETHEISA)

Above & below: the Ornate Moth
(lower copyrighted photo by Lisa Johnson)
Xenosoma sp. ______

Family EUTELIIDAE (has been in the family NOCTUIDAE)

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, and even in urban areas.
All are nocturnal and come to lights in low numbers.

EUTELIIDAE is a tropical family typically inhabiting in savannas and semidesert habitats.

Family NOLIDAE: NOLID, or TUFT MOTHS

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.

NOLIDAE is a cosmopolitan family. In it, about 1,400 species are known.

Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily PLUSIINAE: the OWLET MOTHS 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.

Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily BAGISARINAE

Those in BAGISARINAE are small moths, light yellow, brown and golden wth undulated bands in the forewings.

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.
But most are nocturnal and come to lights.

Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily ACRONICTINAE: DAGGERS

ACRONICTINAE is a cosmopolitan subfamily, with many of the species in it found in temperate regions.
They are generally grayish or cryptic.
Spodoptera albula ______ CH
Spodoptera eridania ______ CH
Spodoptera frugiperda ______ CH
Spodoptera mauritia ______ CH
Spodoptera ochrea ______ CH

Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily AMPHIPYRINAE
Athetis nigrifrons ______ CH
Crimona nana ______ CH
Elaphria bucephalina ______ CH

Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily PLUSIINAE
Argyrogramma basigera ______ CH
Autographa biloba ______ CH
Autographa bonaerensis ______ CH
Autoplusia egena ______ CH
Ctenoplusia albostriata ______ CH
Chrysodeixis chalcites ______ CH
Pseudoplusia includens ______ CH
Rachiplusia nu ______ CH
Rachiplusia virgula ______ CH
Syngrapha gammoides ______ CH
Trichoplusia ni ______ CH
Trichoplusia oxygramma ______ CH

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.

CUCULLIINAE are found predominantly in temperate zones.
Albirenia araucanica ______ CH
Albirenia minense ______ CH species described in 1999
Albirenia transversalis ______ CH species described in 2000
Andesia lesa ______ CH species described in 1979
Copitarsia anatunca ______ CH species described in 1999
Copitarsia anguloi ______ CH species described in 1991
Copitarsia basilinea ______ CH species described in 1958
Copitarsia clavata ______ CH species described in 1952
Copitarsia humilis ______ CH
Copitarsia murina ______ CH species described in 2001
Copitarsia naenoides ______ CH
Copitarsia paraturbata ______ CH species described in 1991
Copitarsia patagonica ______ CH
Copitarsia turbata ______ CH
Pseudocerura thoracica ______ CH
Tenera andina ______ CH species described in 1979
Tenera purpuracea ______ CH species described in 2000

Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily AGARISTINAE

Moths in AGARISTINAE are in general attractively colored. In some, the antennae end in a club.
Those in this subfamily are predominantly tropical. Worldwide, about 300 species are known.

Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily CONDICINAE: GROUNDLINGS

The CONDICINAE is a group of mostly small to medium-sized deltoid moths that rest with their wings flat of slightly tented.
They are found in woodlands and larger gardens. They are nocturnal and come to light in low numbers.

In CONDICINAE, there are a large number of tropical species.

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.

Moths in this group include some agricultural pests, for example the Helicoverpa zea (the Corn Caterpillar) and Helicoverpa armigera, which feeds on the pods of green peas, and also mine the stems of tobacco, corn, cotton.

Although most HELIOTHINAE are diurnal, as just noted, many are also nocturnal and are attracted to lights in small numbers.
Helicoverpa zea ______ M#11068 CH
Heliothis atacamae ______ CH
Heliothis gelotopoeon ______ CH
Heliothis virescens (ph) ______ M#11071 CH
TOBACCO BUDWORM MOTH

Tobacco Budworm Moth
(photo by Lisa Johnson)
Schinia chilensis ______ CH
Schinia gabrielae ______ CH species described in 1998

Family NOCTUIDAE, Subfamily HADENINAE
Chabuata carneago ______ CH
Dargida confundibilis ______ CH species described in 1989
Dargida permira ______ CH
Dargida tetragona ______ CH
Eriopyga perfusca ______ CH
Helicocervix ommatoblonga ______ CH species described in 1999
Helicocervix penai ______ CH species described in 1999
Leucania impuncta ______ CH
Mythimna loreyi ______ CH
Pehuenquenia minuta ______ CH species described in 1999
Pseudaletia punctulata ______ CH
Scriptania badillai ______ CH species described in 1999
Scriptania chuzmiza ______ CH species described in 1999
Scriptania cinerea ______ CH species described in 2001
Scriptania cuculloides ______ CH species described in 1999
Scriptania fallax ______ CH species described in 1999
Scriptania fasciata ______ CH species described in 1999
Scriptania godoyi ______ CH species described in 1993
Scriptania inexpectata ______ CH species described in 1998
Scriptania leucofasciata ______ CH species described in 1999
Scriptania marcelae ______ CH species described in 1999
Scriptania maulina ______ CH species described in 2001
Scriptania paragodoyi ______ CH species described in 2001
Scriptania plumbica ______ CH species described in 1959
Scriptania rubroides ______ CH species described in 2001
Scriptania viridipennis ______ CH species described in 2001
Scriptania yajminense ______ CH species described in 2001
Strigania albilinea ______ CH

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, however, have long, narrow wings that they hold tight to their body. When they are at rest, they place their wings in a horizontal position over the body, forming a roof.
All are nocturnal and will come to lights.
Agrotis araucaria ______ CH
Agrotis andina ______ CH species described in 1945
Agrotis bilitura ______ CH
Agrotis coquimbensis ______ CH
Agrotis dissociata ______ CH
Agrotis edmondsi ______ CH
Agrotis experta ______ CH
Agrotis hispidula ______ CH
Agrotis ipsilon ______ CH
Agrotis malefida ______ CH
Agrotis subterranea ______ CH
Atlantagrotis aethes ______ CH
Atlantagrotis nelida ______ CH species described in 1945
Beriotisia copahuensis ______ CH
Beriotisia cuculliformis ______ CH species described in 1945
Beriotisia fueguensis ______ CH
Beriotisia taniae ______ CH species described in 1999
Beriotisia typhlina ______ CH
Blepharoa mamestrina ______ CH
Boursinidia atrimedia ______ CH
Boursinidia darwini ______ CH
Euxoamorpha ceciliae ______ CH
Euxoamorpha eschata ______ CH species described in 1950
Euxoamorpha ingoufii ______ CH
Euxoamorpha mendosica ______ CH
Euxoamorpha molibdoida ______ CH
Janaesia antarctica ______ CH
Janaesia carnea ______ CH
Janaesia exclusiva ______ CH species described in 1999
Janaesia hibernans ______ CH species described in 1968
Magnagrotis oorti ______ CH species described in 1945
Noctubourgognea bicolor ______ CH
Noctubourgognea coppingeri ______ CH
Noctubourgognea glottuloides ______ CH
Pareuxoa flavicosta ______ CH
Pareuxoa fuscata ______ CH species described in 1999
Pareuxoa gravida ______ CH
Pareuxoa janae ______ CH species described in 1990
Pareuxoa koehleri ______ CH species described in 1992
Pareuxoa lineifera ______ CH
Pareuxoa luteicosta ______ CH species described in 1999
Pareuxoa meditata ______ CH species described in 1967
Pareuxoa nigrolineata ______ CH species described in 1989
Pareuxoa parajanae ______ CH species described in 1992
Pareuxoa perdita ______ CH
Pareuxoa sanctisbastian ______ CH species described in 1954
Peridroma ambrosioides ______ CH
Peridroma chilenaria ______ CH species described in 1984
Peridroma clerica ______ CH
Peridroma saucia ______ CH
Phaenagrotis hecataia ______ CH species described in 1953
Pseudoleucania brosii ______ CH species described in 1959
Pseudoleucania diana ______ CH
Pseudoleucania ferruginescens ______ CH
Pseudoleucania leucaniiformis ______ CH
Pseudoleucania lutemaculata ______ CH species described in 2001
Pseudoleucania marii ______ CH species described in 1979
Pseudoleucania onerosa ______ CH species described in 1959
Scania anelluspinata ______ CH species described in 1994
Scania aspersa ______ CH
Scania messia ______ CH
Scania neuquensis ______ CH species described in 1959
Scania odontoclasper ______ CH species described in 1994
Scania perlucida ______ CH species described in 1967
Scania perornata ______ CH species described in 1959
Scania simillima ______ CH species described in 1959
Scania strigigrapha ______ CH
Scania tephra ______ CH species described in 1945
Tisagronia pexa ______ CH

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