Field Guide

Butterflies and Moths

Showing 21 - 30 of 41 results
Tortricid moth resting on a leaf
Tortricid Moths
About 1,400 species in North America north of Mexico
At rest, tortricid moths often have a distinctive shape, resembling an arrowhead or a bell, with the forewing tips either squared-off or flared outward.
Regal moth resting on a stick, shown from side
Regal Moth (Royal Walnut Moth; Hickory Horned Devil)
Citheronia regalis
The enormous, horned caterpillars of regal moths are more famous than the winged adults. This splendid moth is well established in the Ozarks and eastern Missouri.
Lettered sphinx moth resting on a window screen
Lettered Sphinx
Deidamia inscriptum
The lettered sphinx is the earliest of our sphinx moths to emerge in springtime and may be seen starting in March and April. This single-brooded resident uses wild grapes, Virginia creeper, and peppervine as its caterpillar food plants.
Bent-line carpet moth resting on a concrete surface
Bent-Line Carpet
Costaconvexa centrostrigaria (formerly Orthonama centrostrigaria)
The bent-line carpet and several similar geometrid moths are called carpet moths for their intricate wing patterns, reminiscent of the traditional carpets of Asia and the Middle East.
Photo of a bilobed looper moth resting on concrete, side view
Bilobed Looper
Megalographa biloba (formerly Autographa biloba)
The bilobed looper moth has a conspicuous B-shaped silvery spot on each forewing. Caterpillars of this noctuid moth eat a wide range of plants, and this species is widespread.
Photo of an unidentified grass skipper
Skippers
About 275 species in North America north of Mexico
At first glance, skippers look halfway between butterflies and moths. They are commonly seen darting among the flowers they visit on hot summer days.
Several regal fritillaries feeding on butterfly weed
Butterflies and Skippers
More than 700 species in North America north of Mexico
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?
Gray comma perched on a flower, winged closed
Gray Comma
Polygonia progne
The gray comma is easy to ID if you can see the underside: it is charcoal gray with many fine dark streaks, and its comma marking is L-shaped and narrows to a fine point at each end.
Great Spangled Fritillary, Wings Spread, nectaring on milkweed flowers
Great Spangled Fritillary
Speyeria cybele
The great spangled fritillary is common and easily recognized. This glorious butterfly is often seen in city yards and gardens as it seeks flowers.
Photo of a Painted Lady
Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui
The painted lady is a delicately patterned butterfly found nearly worldwide. It migrates to Missouri in spring. There are several broods.
See Also
image of Caddisfly on leaf
Caddisflies
About 1,500 species in North America north of Mexico
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.
Photo of eastern dobsonfly
Eastern Dobsonfly
Corydalus cornutus
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.