Field Guide

Butterflies and Moths

Showing 31 - 40 of 57 results
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.
Three-lined flower moth resting on a window screen
Three-Lined Flower Moth
Schinia trifascia
The three-lined flower moth is a common noctuid moth. Its caterpillars eat flowers and flower buds of false bonesets, Joe-Pye weeds, thoroughworts, and blazing stars.
Juvenal's duskywing resting on the ground
Juvenal's Duskywing
Erynnis juvenalis
Juvenal’s duskywing is a spread-wing skipper that closely resembles Horace’s duskywing. Unlike Horace’s, it flies only in springtime and has two small telltale pale spots on the hindwing underside.
Photo of a Northern Cloudywing
Northern Cloudywing
Thorybes pylades
A cloudywing is a spread-winged skipper whose ground color, seen from above, is completely dark, and not mottled. The northern cloudywing has a dark face, too.
Photo of a Horace's Duskywing
Horace's Duskywing
Erynnis horatius
Look for Horace’s duskywing at flowers and mud puddles, in forests, and along roadsides.
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?
Northern pearly-eye resting with wings closed
Northern Pearly-Eye
Enodia anthedon (syn. Lethe anthedon)
The northern pearly-eye is grayish brown with dark eyespots. Of three pearly-eye species in Missouri, it is the most widespread.
Photo of a pearl crescent
Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes tharos
Don't let the pearl crescent’s dainty size keep you from admiring its intricate beauty.
Photo of an eastern comma butterfly, wings spread, showing dorsal side of wings
Eastern Comma
Polygonia comma
The eastern comma is named for a small white mark on the underside of the hindwing. It flies spring through fall, and even in winter, on warm, sunny days.
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.