Pictures of moths in north america. Most are brightly colored and some species have large transparent eyespots on their wings. It is intended as a colloquial account of common moths and caterpillars i have encountered and managed to photograph throughout the united states. If everyone who uses this resource gives a small amount we could cover our ongoing costs develop new features and upgrade the system. Butterflies and moths of north america collecting and.
Showcase of the various butterflies and moths of north america. Knitters and others relying on fabrics and fibers abhor moths for their inherently destructive capabilities. Most moths operate in night time hours attracted to light sources and are generally viewed as pests of the night sky. They are tan in color with various brown and purple markings on its wings.
Local large moth conversations usually start with species from the saturniidae family of giant silkworm and royal moths. These moths are native to north america where they are widespread. Butterflies of north america fewer than 800 of the known 12000 lepidopterans found across the united states and canada are actually butterflies the rest being recognized as moths. I believe a picture is worth a thousand words and hope you.
We depend on donations to keep butterflies and moths of north america online and freely available. These moths have a wingspan which is typically 114 mm but can extend to 178 mm as well. Reduce the number of. They are large insects with a typical wingspan of around six inches.
We need your help. The larvae are voracious eaters feeding on trees including oak birch willow beech walnut and maple. Moths of north america this page is a very rudimentary and heinously incomplete account of the moths vast taxonomic tree. It belongs to the saturniidae family also known as saturniids.
Butterflies and the related skippers are the quintessential summertime insect across north america representing 760 complete species while a full 12000 are known to roam north america and some 165000 have been categorized worldwide. It is one of the largest moths in north america.