Butterflies and Moths
Media
![Polyphemus Moth, Belton MO](/sites/default/files/styles/media_library/public/mo_nature/webform/20160421_193620.jpg?itok=mwdY7Yud)
Species Types
Scientific Name
About 75 species in North America north of Mexico
Description
Missouri has 16 species of saturniid, or giant silkworm moths. Many of them are spectacular, including the cecropia, luna, buck, io, imperial, polyphemus, rosy maple, spiny oakworm, and royal moths.
Media
![image of a Dagger Moth](/sites/default/files/styles/media_library/public/mo_nature/media/images/2013/06/dagger_brunet2012.jpg?itok=1jo8oB2z)
Species Types
Scientific Name
More than 2,500 species in North America north of Mexico
Description
One of the largest families of moths, noctuids used to be an even larger group. Many are tan or gray and resemble tree bark. Some are serious crop pests.
Media
![image of a Yellow-Fringed Dolichomia Moth](/sites/default/files/styles/media_library/public/mo_nature/media/images/2013/06/dolichomia_brunet2012.jpg?itok=5KCytG1U)
Species Types
Scientific Name
More than 680 species in North America north of Mexico
Description
The pyralids are a large and diverse family of mostly small or medium-sized moths. They often look like they have snouts.
Media
![Hummingbird clearwing taking nectar from a flower](/sites/default/files/styles/media_library/public/mo_nature/media/images/2015/08/pa-09-2015.jpg?itok=uVNybkPe)
Species Types
Scientific Name
Hemaris thysbe
Description
The hummingbird clearwing is a common Missouri moth. Like many other sphinx moths, it hovers near flowers, collecting nectar, during the day and at dusk. Look for them April into September.
Media
![Forage looper moth perched on a brick wall, viewed from side](/sites/default/files/styles/media_library/public/mo_nature/media/field-guide/Forage_Looper_Moth_side_10-18-14.jpg?itok=ZHEdr2DG)
Species Types
Scientific Name
More than 12,000 species in North America north of Mexico
Description
Learn about moths as a group. What makes a moth a moth? How are moths different from butterflies? What are the major groups of moths?
Media
![Several regal fritillaries feeding on butterfly weed](/sites/default/files/styles/media_library/public/mo_nature/media/images/2010/05/regal_fritillary_02.jpg?itok=2BTOguXQ)
Species Types
Scientific Name
More than 700 species in North America north of Mexico
Description
Learn about butterflies and skippers as a group. What makes a butterfly a butterfly? How are they different from moths? What are the major groups of butterflies?
See Also
Media
![image of Caddisfly on leaf](/sites/default/files/styles/media_library/public/mo_nature/media/images/2013/02/caddisfly.jpg?itok=EatuuL12)
Species Types
Scientific Name
About 1,500 species in North America north of Mexico
Description
Adult caddisflies are mothlike. Their larvae are aquatic and build portable, protective cases out of local materials, including grains of sand, bits of leaves and twigs, and other debris.
Media
![Photo of eastern dobsonfly](/sites/default/files/styles/media_library/public/mo_nature/media/images/2012/11/eastern_dobsonfly_11-08-12.jpg?itok=n1sp17gr)
Species Types
Scientific Name
Corydalus cornutus
Description
Adult eastern dobsonflies are huge and mothlike, with large wings and a weak, fluttery flight. The fiercely predaceous aquatic larvae, called hellgrammites, are well-known to anglers, who often use them as bait.
About Butterflies and Moths in Missouri
Butterflies, skippers, and moths belong to an insect order called the Lepidoptera — the "scale-winged" insects. These living jewels have tiny, overlapping scales that cover their wings like shingles. The scales, whether muted or colorful, seem dusty if they rub off on your fingers. Many butterflies and moths are associated with particular types of food plants, which their caterpillars must eat in order to survive.