Field Guide

Butterflies and Moths

Showing 1 - 10 of 41 results
image of a Black-Waved Flannel Moth resting on a leaf
Flannel Moths
Eleven species in North America north of Mexico
The flannel moths are a small family, and only three species are usually found in Missouri. Adults are stout and very hairy and fluffy looking. Caterpillars have thick hair containing stinging spines.
Photo of a Xanthotype geometer moth
Xanthotype Geometers
Xanthotype spp.
“Zantho-tippies” are named for their yellow color (“xantho” means yellow). “Geometer” means earth-measurer, for their “inchworm” caterpillars.
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.
image of a Rosy Maple Moth
Rosy Maple Moth
Dryocampa rubicunda
The rosy maple moth has a variable coloration. In most cases, it is white or cream-colored, with some amount of pink at the outer and inner portions of the wings.
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.
image of Plume Moth on blade of grass
Plume Moths
Nearly 150 species in North America north of Mexico
Slim, delicate plume moths are instantly recognizable by their T-shaped silhouette, long legs, and muted shades of tan and brown. It can be hard to separate the various species.
Coral hairstreak butterfly on butterfly weed flowers
Coral Hairstreak
Satyrium titus (syn. Harkenclenus titus)
The coral hairstreak is the only Missouri hairstreak lacking hindwing “tails” and without a blue spot on the outer hindwing edge.
Photo of a Morning-Glory Prominent moth
Morning-Glory Prominent
Schizura ipomoeae
The morning-glory prominent is common but easily overlooked in Missouri’s woods. The caterpillars mimic curled, dead edges on the leaves they feed on, and the adults blend in with tree bark.
image of an Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth
Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth
Malacosoma americana
The silken tents of eastern tent caterpillars are conspicuous each spring in the forks of apple, cherry, and plum trees. The adult moths are brown with two pale stripes on the forewings.
Photo of a monkey slug caterpillar on an oak leaf
Slug Caterpillar Moths
More than 20 species in Missouri
Adult slug caterpillar moths are heavy-bodied and furry. The weird-looking caterpillars have suckers instead of prolegs, so they glide around like slugs. Don’t touch — many have stinging spines or hairs.
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.