Field Guide

Butterflies and Moths

Showing 11 - 20 of 26 results
Photo of a Chickweed Geometer
Chickweed Geometer
Haematopis grataria
The colorful chickweed geometer moth flies during the day like a butterfly. It’s called a geometer (“earth measurer”) because the larvae are “inchworms” that loop their bodies with each “step” they take.
image of a Yellow-Fringed Dolichomia Moth
Pyralid Moths
More than 680 species in North America north of Mexico
The pyralids are a large and diverse family of mostly small or medium-sized moths. They often look like they have snouts.
A white-lined sphinx moth sips nectar from a purple locoweed flower
Sphinx Moths (Hawk Moths)
More than 50 species in Missouri
Sphinx moths are usually large and heavy bodied, with a long, pointed abdomen. Members of this family often hover near flowers, feeding on nectar and looking like hummingbirds or bumblebees.
image of a Nessus Sphinx
Nessus Sphinx
Amphion floridensis
The Nessus sphinx is a common Missouri moth. It hovers near flowers, collecting nectar, during the day and at dusk. The caterpillars eat plants in the grape family, including Virginia creeper.
Hummingbird clearwing taking nectar from a flower
Hummingbird Clearwing
Hemaris thysbe
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.
Photo of a magdalen underwing moth
Magdalen Underwing
Catocala illecta
The magdalen underwing is one of dozens in its genus found in Missouri. You can tell it from the others by the specific pattern on the brightly colored hindwings, which are usually covered by the dull brown forewings.
image of a Honey Locust Moth
Honey Locust Moth
Syssphinx bicolor (syn. Sphingicampa bicolor)
Honey locust moths are gray in spring and increasingly yellow, tan, or rusty later as the season progresses. The hindwings are typically rose-colored.
Ornate bella moth resting on a thoroughwort flower cluster, Meadowood Farm SRMA, Mason Neck, Virginia, August 31, 2015
Ornate Bella Moth
Utetheisa ornatrix
The ornate bella moth, also called the calico moth and rattlebox moth, is one of Missouri’s most attractive moths. The colors, however, are a warning to predators that this moth is toxic if eaten. Even spiders reject them.
Adult grapevine epimenis moth perched on a leaf, viewed from above, wings outstretched
Grapevine Epimenis
Psychomorpha epimenis
The grapevine epimenis flies during daytime and would seem too colorful to be a moth, but a moth it is. They fly in springtime and love to visit wild plum blossoms.
Forage looper moth perched on a brick wall, viewed from side
Moths
More than 12,000 species in North America north of Mexico
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?
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.