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Content tagged with "Butterflies and Moths"

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Content tagged with "Butterflies and Moths"

Caddisflies

Various species in the order Trichoptera
The adults are mothlike. The aquatic larvae are famous for building portable, protective cases out of local materials, including grains of sand, bits of leaves and twigs, and other debris, which are glued or woven into a tube, cone or spiral shape. More

Clouded Sulphur

Image of sulphur butterflies
Colias philodice
The word “butterfly” probably originated because of the yellow color of European sulphurs. The clouded sulphur (also known as the common sulphur) is one of our most common butterflies, flying low over fields and lawns. More

Giant Swallowtail

Image of giant swallowtail
Papilio cresphontes
This swallowtail is the largest butterfly in our state. In Florida, the larvae are a pest in citrus orchards, but here in Missouri, they feed primarily on prickly ash and hop tree, plants provided by nature. More

Gypsy Moth

Image of a gypsy moth
Lymantria dispar
Accidentally introduced to the eastern United States from Europe, this species has been responsible for millions of dollars in damages to forests. You can help specialists to protect our forests by learning how to recognize the gypsy moth and its larvae and reporting any occurrences you find. More

Luna Moth

Actias luna
This beautiful moth’s distinctive lime-green color and long tails distinguish it from all other North American moths. More

Monarch

Image of a monarch butterfly
Danaus plexippus
These well-known butterflies are distinguished by their relatively large size, rusty or orange wings with black veins and black bodies. The larvae usually are found on milkweeds. More

Pearl Crescent

Image of a pearl crescent
Phyciodes tharos
One of the most common butterflies in North America, the pearl crescent’s dainty size keeps it from garnering the attention given to larger species. But look closely, and you’ll be impressed by its intricate beauty. More

Regal Fritillary

Image of regal fritillaries feeding on butterfly weed
Speyeria idalia
A large, reddish-orange butterfly of our beautiful native prairies, this species is on Missouri’s endangered species Watch List because of its steeply declining numbers. More

Spicebush Swallowtail

Pterourus troilus
This butterfly has one of the most photogenic caterpillars in America: smooth and pretty green, with weird eyespots on a hump well above the actual head. The winged adults are striking, too, black with beautiful iridescent blue and green on the hindwings. More

White-Lined Sphinx

Image of a white-lined sphinx larva
Hyles lineata
This moth sometimes confuses people because it flies, hovers, and eats from flowers like a hummingbird—but it has antennae! Find out more about this fascinating moth and its relatives. More
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