Best Moth

The Madagascan moon moth, *Argema mittrei*, is a large saturniid moth native to Madagascar’s rainforests. Males are distinguished by exceptionally long, trailing tail streamers – up to fifteen centimeters – used in courtship displays. This species is notable for its impressive size and unique mating...

The Merveille du jour (Dichonia aprilina) is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae found throughout Europe. It is recognized by its distinctive forewings, which are patterned with bright green and black mottling that provides camouflage against lichen-covered tree bark. This cryptic coloration a...

The crimson speckled moth (*Utetheisa pulchella*) is a species of arctiine moth belonging to the family Erebidae. It is easily recognized by its distinctive white forewings, which are marked with a striking pattern of red and black spots. As a highly mobile species, it is known for its migratory beh...

The Chinese moon moth, *Actias dubernardi*, is a large saturniid moth native to humid Asian mountain regions. It’s notable for its striking green wings and impressive size, making it one of the largest moths in Asia. First described in 1897, this species is primarily observed by lepidopterists and t...

The atlas moth is a large tropical moth belonging to the Saturniidae family. It’s notable for its impressive wingspan, often exceeding 12 inches, and distinctive eye-like markings. These moths are primarily found in Southeast Asia and are used by scientists studying insect coloration and camouflage....

The Kentish glory (Endromis versicolora) is a European moth and the sole member of the family Endromidae. Males are day-flying with brown-and-white patterned wings, while females are larger and more nocturnal in habit. The species was described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 Systema Naturae. Its commo...

The sunset moth is a Malagasy species of Uraniidae moth notable for its striking iridescent wings resembling a setting sun. As a day-flying moth, it’s one of the few moths active during daylight hours. It's primarily observed in Madagascar and is of interest to entomologists studying unique adaptati...

The Madagascan sunset moth, *Chrysiridia rhipheus*, is a striking day-flying moth found exclusively in Madagascar. Its brilliant iridescent scales create vibrant orange and red hues resembling a sunset – a remarkable adaptation for its uraniid family. This unique coloration makes it notable within L...

The luna moth is a large North American moth belonging to the Saturniidae family. Known for its striking pale green wings and long tails, it’s notable for being one of the first moths to emerge in spring. These nocturnal insects are particularly fascinating to amateur naturalists and those intereste...

The Hercules moth is a massive Australian silkmoth belonging to the Saturniidae family. It’s notable for being one of the largest moths in the world, with wingspans reaching up to 30 centimeters. Males are particularly striking due to their vibrant blue coloration. These moths are primarily nocturna...

The Ghost moth (Hepialus humuli) is a moth species in the family Hepialidae, native to much of Europe. Adult males are conspicuously white, while females are yellowish-brown with darker markings. At dusk, males gather to perform a hovering display flight called a lek above open ground, attracting fe...

The White Witch Moth represents the world’s largest moth by wingspan, typically exceeding eleven inches. This giant insect belongs to the Erebiidae family and is native to tropical regions of Central and South America. Its enormous size makes it a significant subject for entomologists studying Lepid...

The eight-spotted forester moth (Alypia octomaculata) is a day-flying moth native to eastern and central North America, recognized by black wings each bearing two pale yellowish-white spots, yielding the name's eight spots. The larvae feed on members of the grape family (Vitaceae), including wild gr...

The great peacock moth, *Saturnia pyri*, is a large European moth belonging to the Saturniidae family. Its most distinctive feature are the prominent eyespots on its wings, believed to deter predators. Reaching up to 20 centimeters in wingspan, it’s notable for being one of Europe's largest moths. L...

The Tau emperor moth (Aglia tau) is a species of Saturniid moth native to the Palearctic realm, including woodlands across Europe and Asia. It is named for the distinct tau-shaped markings visible on the wings of adults. The species exhibits notable sexual dimorphism in its activity patterns, with m...

The death’s-head hawkmoth is a large European insect belonging to the Sphingidae family. It's notable for the distinctive ‘skull-like’ marking on its wings, a pattern thought to deter predators. These moths are frequently found near beehives where they feed on nectar and pollen. They are primarily o...

The cream-spot tiger moth (Arctia villica) is a nocturnal insect belonging to the family Erebidae, distributed across Europe, North Africa, and the Near East. The species exhibits distinct aposematic coloration; its forewings are primarily black with pale yellow or cream spots, while its hindwings a...

The rosy maple moth is a North American silkmoth belonging to the Saturniidae family. Noteworthy for its vibrant pink and orange coloration, it’s one of the largest moths in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. These moths are particularly interesting to lepidopterists and those studyi...

The Ailanthus webworm moth is an American ermine moth notable for its bright orange wings spotted with white, serving as a vibrant diurnal mimic of dangerous beetles.

The wood tiger moth (*Parasemia plantaginis*) is a Palearctic species recognized for its vibrant warning coloration and its frequent use in genetic studies regarding insect chemical defenses.

The Black Witch (Ascalapha odorata) is a massive migratory moth belonging to the Noctuidae family, commonly known as erebids. It’s the largest noctuoid moth found in North America, reaching impressive sizes. This American species is particularly notable due to its substantial wingspan and distinctiv...

The Oak beauty is a Palearctic geometrid moth described in 1758, recognized by its striking salt-and-pepper mottling that perfectly camouflages it against tree bark.

The Cecropia moth is a large North American silk moth belonging to the Saturniidae family. Noteworthy for its impressive wingspan – often exceeding six inches – it’s one of the largest moths in the region. Adult Cecropias are primarily nocturnal and feed on tree sap. Their caterpillars, voracious le...

The Mother of pearl moth is a widespread species across the Palearctic, noted for the striking iridescent sheen on its pale, broad wings.

The lappet moth (*Gastropacha quercifolia*) is a large Palearctic species famous for its remarkable resemblance to a dried, curled autumn leaf when at rest, providing excellent camouflage.

The comet moth is a distinctive North American silkmoth belonging to the Saturniidae family. Its most notable feature is its exceptionally long tail, extending up to twice the length of its body. Endemic to the southeastern United States, it’s particularly studied by lepidopterists and those interes...

The Oleander sphinx moth, *Daphnis nerii*, is a hawk moth native to Americas. It’s recognized by its distinctive green and pink coloration in larval form. These moths are notable for their specialized diet of oleander plants and undertake impressive migrations. They are primarily observed by lepidop...

The Ceanothus Silkmoth is a sizable moth belonging to the Saturniidae family. It’s notable for its large size and distinctive rusty orange wings. Primarily found along the North American Pacific coast, this moth is particularly interesting to lepidopterists and those studying native insect populatio...

The Clifden nonpareil is a large European moth belonging to the *Catocala* genus. It’s notable for its striking blue and black coloration on its hindwings, making it one of the largest moths in Europe. Primarily found across continental Europe, this species occasionally appears as a rare visitor in...