Field Guide

Butterflies and Moths

Showing 21 - 30 of 95 results
Underwing moth Catocala species resting on a brick wall
Underwing Moths
Catocala spp., more than 100 species in North America north of Mexico
Dozens of species of underwing moths (genus Catocala) live in Missouri. They have drab tan forewings that usually conceal bright orange, red, yellow, or pink hindwings with contrasting bold dark patterns.
image of a White-Headed Prominent moth
Prominent Moths
About 50 species recorded from Missouri
Prominent moths have a heavy covering of scales, so many of them look fuzzy. Some species curl their wings around their abdomens, which are lifted at an angle, so they resemble a twig.
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.
Photo of a Red-Fringed Emerald
Red-Fringed Emerald
Nemoria bistriaria
The red-fringed emerald has two color forms depending on the season. Adults that emerge in summer are green, but those that emerge in spring are tan.
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.
Photo of a sod webworm adult moth on a window with hind end propped up
Crambid Snout Moths
More than 860 species in North America north of Mexico
Crambid snout moths are named for the mouthparts that project outward like a snout. They are very similar to the closely related family of pyralid moths.
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 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.
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.
White-Lined Sphinx Moth
White-Lined Sphinx
Hyles lineata
The white-lined sphinx moth sometimes confuses people because it flies, hovers, and eats from flowers like a hummingbird. The adults often fly during daylight hours as well as in the night and are often found at lights.
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.