90 Types of Moths: Identity Chart (Pics), Moth Vs. Butterfly (Easy Way to Tell)

Gardening | February 19, 2024

Man looking at flying insects wonders how to identify types of moths and identify colorful types of moths, and what is the difference between moth vs. butterfly?

Moths are an undervalued component of global ecosystems, and there are many more types of Moths in the world than most people would think.

As pollinators and an important part of the food chain, moths serve a crucial part of the health of the planet, but did you know, moths can be just as colorful as butterflies.

This article explores some of the most interesting aspects of these delicately-winged insects, and looks at which types of moths are common around the United States.

By using the identity charts and some tips on how to tell the difference between a butterfly and a moth, you’ll gain a new appreciation for this often overlooked insect.

What Is a Moth?

Common understanding and scientific classification of the Moth has changed over the years, particularly as DNA analysis has taken a more prominent role in classification.

When exploring the question, what is a Moth?” it’s important to illuminate some of the common misunderstandings about these creatures.

Moths are winged insects in the Lepidoptera order, of which Moths make up the majority of the species and butterflies the minority.

From a classification standpoint, any member of the Lepidoptera order which is not in the superfamily, Papilionoidea, a monophyletic group which houses all of the butterflies.¹⁰

How Many Moth Species Are There?

Moths are creatures of mystery, and many go unnoticed because of their (mostly) nocturnal natures. This can make it difficult to study all the different moths in the world, but people are still working to answer the question “How many types of moths are there?”

According to the Smithsonian, there are approximately 160,000 Moth species worldwide. This makes moths one of the most abundant insect varieties known, dramatically outnumbering butterfly species around the world.

Moths are found on every continent, even the Kerguelen Islands of Antarctica.^1,10

10 of the Prettiest Types of Moths

While butterflies have developed the reputation of being graceful, delicate, and beautiful, Moths are generally considered their less attractive counterparts.

However, many people don’t know that there are some types of Moths which are even prettier than butterflies!

Graphic showing the ten prettiest types of moths which include the Comet moth, Elephant Hawk moth, False Tiger moth, Joseph's Coat moth, Japanese Silk moth, Luna moth, Madagascar Sunset moth, Oleander Hawk moth, Rose Maple moth, and Uncle Same moth images. (Joseph's Coat moth Image: Kobble Creek35)

(Joseph’s Coat Moth Image: Tom Tarrant³⁶)(Uncle Sam Moth Image: Fitzpatick, B.³⁷)

Here are ten truly stunning moth species with brief descriptions:⁵

1. Comet Moth (Argema mittrei):²⁰ Endemic to Madagascar and currently endangered, this giant yellow and orange moth is striking to behold.

2. Elephant Hawk Moth (Deilephila elpenor):²¹ This Eurasian pollinating moth feeds on various types of flowers during the night. It has a distinctive larval form.

3. False Tiger Moth (Dysphania militaris):²² This brightly colored, medium-size moth is native to Southeast Asia. It is often mistaken for a butterfly.

4. Joseph’s Coat Moth (Agarista agricola):²³ The Joseph’s Coat Moth is an Australia native with colorful, beautifully patterned wings.

4. Japanese Silk Moth (Antheraea yamamai):²⁴ Silk moths make up most of the largest moth species, and while the Japanese Silk Moth may appear to be a large tan or brown moth at a distance, closer inspection reveals hues of pink, yellow, and even purple in some specimen.

5. Luna Moth (Actias luna):²⁵ A native of North America, the Luna Moth is truly unique with its delicate, green, tailed wings and white body. In its adult form, the Luna Moth lives only one week.

7. Madagascar Sunset Moth (Chrysiridia rhipheus):²⁶ A diurnal moth of Madagascar with beautiful, bright coloring.

8. Oleander Hawk Moth (Daphnis nerii):²⁷ Native to Asia and Africa, this exotic looking moth has a beautiful green camouflage and aerodynamic wings which mimic the hovering flight of hummingbirds.

9. Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda):²⁸ An adorable, fuzzy, relatively small silk moth with yellow and pink coloring native to North America.

10. Uncle Sam Moth (Composia fidelissima):²⁹ This exotic moth, found around the Caribbean, is a primarily blue moth with red and white accents. It is also known as Faithful Beauty moth.

How Many Types of Hummingbird Moths Are There?

Hummingbird Moths, members of the Hemaris genus,³⁰ are some of the loveliest Moths to frequent gardens. They are named for their rapid wing movements and hovering flight style that strongly resembles the hummingbird.

Hummingbird moths are diurnal pollinators which are attracted to many of the same plants that attract hummingbirds, such as the Weeping Butterfly Bush, the Honeysuckle vine, and the Petunia flower.

Of the 23 accepted species in Hemaris,³⁰ four types of Hummingbird moths can be found in North America, according to the U.S. Forest Service. These are the:

11. Graceful Clearwing moth (Hemaris gracilis)
12. Hummingbird Clearwing moth (Hemaris thysbe)
13. Rocky Mountain Clearwing moth (Hemaris thetis)
14. Snowberry Clearwing moth (Hemaris diffinis)

How To Tell Moths and Butterflies Apart

One of the most common questions people ask about moths is how they can be differentiated from butterflies. Historically, people have assumed that night visitors with drab colors were moths while the bright day-flyers were butterflies, but more and more exceptions to this rule of thumb make it a less than ideal way to tell them apart.

Some types of butterflies, such as the Skippers, were mistaken for moths for many years due to their moth-like characteristics.¹⁰

The best way to tell adult moths and butterflies apart is to examine their antennae. Butterflies usually have antennae which form clubs at the end, while Moth antennae are usually thready or feathery.

However, even this rule has exceptions.¹

Different Types of Moths Common in Each State

There are over 11,000 moth species which have been identified and recognized across the United States.^9,16Some types of moths are more prevalent in certain regions and climates.

The following table shows some of the different types of moths that may be seen in each state.

Common Types of Moth By State
State	Common Name	Scientific Name
Alabama	15. Green Cloverworm moth *Luna moth 16. Black-Bordered Lemon moth	Hypena scabra Actias luna Marimatha nigrofimbri
Alaska	17. Bedstraw Hawk moth *Snowberry Clearwing moth 18 .Spongy moth	Hyles gallii Hemaris diffinis Lymantria dispar
Arizona	19. Common Clothes moth 20. Carolina Sphinx moth 21. White-lined Sphinx moth	Tineola bisselliella Manduca sexta Hyles lineata
Arkansas	*Luna moth 22. Pandora Sphinx moth 23. Polyphemus moth	Actias luna Eumorpha pandorus Antheraea polyphemus
California	24. Pacific Green Sphinx moth Snowberry Clearwing moth White-Lined Sphinx moth	Proserpinus lucidus Hemaris diffinis Hyles lineata
Colorado	25. Black Witch moth 26. Indianmeal moth *Miller moth	Ascalapha odorata Plodia interpunctella Acronicta leporina
Connecticut	Luna moth 27. Pandorus Sphinx moth Polyphemus moth	Actias luna Eumorpha pandorus Antheraea polyphemus
Delaware	28. Cecropia Silk moth 29. Clemen’s Grass Tubeworm moth 30. Elegant Grass-veneer moth	Hyalophora cecropia Acrolophus popeanella Microcrambus elegans
Florida	31. Abbot’s Bagworm moth Hummingbird Clearwing moth White-Lined Sphinx moth	Oiketicus abbotii Hemaris thysbe Hyles lineata
Georgia	32. Banded Sphinx moth Carolina Sphinx moth Indianmeal moth	Eumorpha fasciatus Manduca sexta Plodia interpunctella

Close up view of a Green Cloverworm Moth, a common type of moth species in Alabama

(Image: Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren³¹)

State	Common Name	Scientific Name
Hawaii	*Black Witch moth 33. Guava moth 34. Oleander Hawk-moth	Ascalapha odorata Ophiusa disjungens Daphnis nerii
Idaho	35. Douglas Fir Tussock moth Polyphemus moth White-lined Sphinx	Orgyia pseudotsugata Antheraea polyphemus Hyles lineata
Illinois	Cecropia Silk moth Hummingbird Clearwing moth *Spongy moth	Hyalophora cecropia Hemaris thysbe Lymantria dispar
Indiana	Cecropia Silk moth 36. Imperial moth Polyphemus moth	Hyalophora cecropia Eacles imperialis Antheraea polyphemus
Iowa	Cecropia Silk moth Luna moth *Polyphemus moth	Hyalophora cecropia Actias luna Antheraea polyphemus
Kansas	37. Army Cutworm moth *Luna moth 38. Regal moth	Euxoa auxiliaries Actias luna Citheronia regalis
Kentucky	Hummingbird Clearwing moth 39. Pink-Striped Oakworm moth White-Lined Sphinx moth	Hemaris thysbe Anisota virginiensis Hyles lineata
Louisiana	Hummingbird Clearwing moth Luna moth 40. Salt Marsh moth	Hemaris thysbe Actias luna Estigmene acrea
Maine	41. Blinded Sphinx moth *Rosy Maple moth 42. White-Blotched Heterocampa moth	Paonias excaecata Dryocampa rubicunda Heterocampa umbrata
Maryland	43. Canadian Melanolophia moth 44. Large Yellow Underwing moth 45. Green Cloverworm moth	Melanolophia canadaria Noctua pronuba Hypena scabra

Top shot of a Black Witch moth on grass, with its wings widespread showing it unique features.

(Image: Charles J. Sharp³²)

State	Common Name	Scientific Name
Massachusetts	46. Brown-Tail moth 47. Greater Red Dart moth *Spongy moth	Euproctis chrysorrhoea Abagrotis alternata Lymantria dispar
Michigan	48. Hummingbird Hawkmoth Spongy moth White-Lined Sphinx moth	Macroglossum stellatarum Lymantria dispar Hyles lineata
Minnesota	Cecropia Silkmoth 49. Isabella Tiger moth Polyphemus moth	Hyalophora cecropia Pyrrharctia isabella Antheraea polyphemus
Mississippi	50. Spiny Oak-slug moth 51. Spun Glass Slug moth 52. Yellow-Shouldered Slug moth	Euclea delphinii Isochaetes beutenmuelleri Lithacodes fasciola
Missouri	Imperial moth Luna moth *Polyphemus moth	Eacles imperialis Actias luna Antheraea polyphemus
Montana	53. Achemon Sphinx moth Army Cutworm moth White-Lined Sphinx moth	Eumorpha achemon Euxoa auxiliaris Hyles lineata
Nebraska	Cecropia Silk moth Chickweed Geometer moth White-Lined Sphinx moth	Hyalophora cecropia Haematopis grataria Hyles lineata
Nevada	Carolina Sphinx moth 54. Five-Spotted Hawk moth White-Lined Sphinx moth	Manduca sexta Manduca quinquemaculata Hyles lineata¹⁷
New Hampshire	55. Banded Tussock moth 56. Common Oak moth *Luna moth	Halysidota tessellaris Phoberia atomaris Actias luna
New Jersey	Imperial moth Luna moth *Polyphemus moth	Eacles imperialis Actias luna Antheraea polyphemus

Top shot of a Brown-Tail moth on concrete surface.

(Image: Fturmo³³)

State	Common Name	Scientific Name
New Mexico	*Black Witch moth 57. New Mexico Carpet moth 58. Wood Tiger moth	Ascalapha odorata Archirhoe neomexicana Arctia plantaginis
New York	Cecropia Silk moth Hummingbird Clearwing moth *Polyphemus moth	Hyalophora cecropia Hemaris thysbe Antheraea polyphemus
North Carolina	59. Hickory Tussock moth Polyphemus moth Spongy moth	Lophocampa caryae Antheraea polyphemus Lymantria dispar
North Dakota	*Achemon Sphinx moth 60. Big Poplar Sphinx moth 61. Waved Sphinx moth	Eumorpha achemon Pachysphinx modesta Ceratomia undulosa
Ohio	*Cecropia Silk moth 62. Io moth 63. Hummingbird Hawkmoth	Hyalophora cecropia Automeris io Macroglossum stellatarum
Oklahoma	64. Fall Webworm moth Luna moth Polyphemus moth	Hyphantria cunea Actias luna Antheraea polyphemus
Oregon	65. Ceanothus Silkmoth 66. Pandora Pine moth *Spongy moth	Hyalophora euryalus Coloradia pandora Lymantria dispar
Pennsylvania	67. American Dagger moth Canadian Melanolophia moth Indianmeal moth	Acronicta americana Melanolophia canadaria Plodia interpunctella
Rhode Island	Hummingbird Clearwing moth Io moth 68. Winter moth	Hemaris thysbe Automeris io Operophtera brumata
South Carolina	69. Flighted Spongy moth 70. Gold-Striped Leaftier moth 71. Yellow-Vested moth	Lymantria dispar asiatica Machimia tentoriferella Rectiostoma xanthobasis

(Image: The High Fin Sperm Whale³⁴)

State	Common Name	Scientific Name
South Dakota	Cecropia Silk moth 72. Western Bean Cutworm White-Lined Sphinx moth	Hyalophora cecropia Striacosta albicosta Hyles lineata
Tennessee	73. Colorful Zale moth Luna moth Spongy moth	Zale minerea Actias luna Lymantria dispar
Texas	74. Ailanthus Webworm moth Black Witch moth Luna moth	Atteva aurea Ascalapha odorata Actias luna
Utah	Achemon Sphinx moth Five-Spotted Hawk moth *White-Lined Sphinx moth	Eumorpha achemon Manduca quinquemaculata Hyles lineata
Vermont	Isabella Tiger moth 75. Hickory Tussock moth Luna moth	Pyrrharctia isabella Lophocampa caryae Actias luna
Virginia	76. Bella moth Luna moth Rosy Maple moth	Utetheisa ornatrix Actias luna¹⁹ Dryocampa rubicunda
Washington	Big Poplar Sphinx moth Ceanothus Silkmoth 77. One-Eyed Sphinx moth	Pachysphinx occidentalis Hyalophora euryalus Smerinthus cerisyi
West Virginia	78. Mottled Gray Carpet moth *Rosy Maple moth 79. Tulip Tree Beauty moth	Cladara limitaria Dryocampa rubicunda Epimecis hortaria
Wisconsin	80. Bristly Cutworm moth 81.Celery Leaftier moth 82. Lucerne moth	Lacinipolia renigera Udea rubigalis Nomophila nearctica
Wyoming	Imperial moth 83. Miller moth Polyphemus moth	Eacles imperialis Acronicta leporina Antheraea polyphemus

Common moth information gathered from frequent moth and butterfly sightings on websites dedicated to these insects.^13,16 Note that larger moths or moths that appear during the day appear more frequently on many lists because they are easier to spot.

Types of Moths Homeowners Should Worry About (Types of Moths in Houses)

While most moths are harmless or even beneficial, there are some types of moths that can cause significant trouble for homeowners and other types that plague farmers. There are several commonly seen types of moths in houses, and the ones that usually cause trouble for homeowners are the pantry moths and clothes moths.

These moths are problematic because they feed on items in the home, often flour, cornmeal, and cereals in the case of pantry moths, and clothing in the case of clothes moths.

Pantry moths are often small (less than one inch) and brown. Common pantry moths include:^6,8

84. Almond moth (Cadra cautella)

85. Angoumois Grain moth (Sitotroga cerealella)

86. Brown House moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella)

* Indianmeal moth (Plodia interpunctella)

87. Mediterranean Pantry moth (Ephestia kuehniella)

88. White-Shouldered House moth (Endrosis sarcitrella)

Clothes moths are even smaller than pantry moths (less than ½ inch), and they are usually tan or beige. The most common clothes moths are:¹⁴

89. Casemaking Clothes moth (Tinea pellionella)

90. Webbing Clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella)

Tips for Moth Identification

Moth identification is not quite as simple as being able to answer the question “What does a moth look like?”, particularly given the diversity of moths around the world, but this is a good place to start.

Moth identification graphic showing the different parts and unique characteristics of moths.

The majority of moths share the following characteristics:¹

Scaled wings
Thick abdomen
Curlable proboscis
Thin, thread-like or feather-like antennae
Muted colors
Nocturnal habit

Note that there are exceptions to each of these rules, so proceed carefully when identifying new species.

Types of Moths and Their Meanings

Moths have come to symbolize many things through the years, and some moth meanings take on a darker aspect while others are more hopeful.

Moths, in general, are frequently associated with themes of death, transformation, and spirituality.

Some types of moths and their meanings have been featured in popular culture.

Black moths, such as the Death’s-head moth, have been seen as omens of death and darkness, while other types, such as the Luna moth are usually associated with psychic power and intuition.^3,15

10 Interesting Moth Facts

Historically, moths have been the lesser valued relative of the butterfly, featuring negatively in pop culture and acquiring a bad reputation due to the habits of a small fraction of moth species. While there are many myths about moths, few people look closely enough to appreciate the beauty of these insects.

The following Moth facts shed a bit more light on these nocturnal creatures.

The life cycle of moths is in four stages: Egg, larva, pupa, adult.¹¹
Moths go through a complete metamorphosis, transitioning completely between their larva and adult forms within cocoons.¹²
While most moths are nocturnal, several species are diurnal (day-active) or crepuscular (twilight-active).¹²
Moths are abundant, outnumbering butterflies at least 9 to 1.¹⁰
The fossil record of moths dates back 200 million years.²
Moths are an incredibly diverse group of insects, from size and shape to coloring, habit, and structural form. Some moths can even swim underwater!¹²
The smallest known moths are barely visible to the naked eye, while the largest moths can have a wingspan of nearly 1 foot.⁴
Moths are great at camouflage, in both their larval and adult stages, and some diurnal species are even mistaken for hummingbirds, wasps, and bees.⁴
Moths do not usually live long in their adult form (often only a few days), and their sole focus is to mate and lay their eggs in time.¹⁸
Moths play several important ecological roles. They are major pollinators as well as a crucial part of the food chain for small birds and mammals.¹⁸

Is a Moth an Insect?

Through the years, many people have wondered “Is a moth an insect?” Insects are invertebrates whose adult forms have exoskeletons, tri-segmented bodies, six legs, and antennae. Moths fit each of these descriptions, so yes, moths are considered insects.⁷

Moths are an incredibly diverse group of insects, vastly more numerous than their closest relatives, the butterflies. This moth guide assists in reliably differentiating moths and butterflies and aims to develop an appreciation for these remarkable creatures.

Explore beautiful types of moths and learn which homeowners should avoid.

Frequently Asked Questions About Types of Moths

Are Moths Nocturnal?

One common query about moths is “Are moths nocturnal?” Contrary to popular belief, not all moths are nocturnal, though the vast majority are, thus, it is likely that diurnal and crepuscular moths are mistaken for butterflies.⁹

How Big Is the Giant Moth?

The Atlas moth, Attacus atlas, is a giant moth native to Asia, it is one of the largest insects in the world, with a wingspan approaching a foot wide in some specimens. The Hercules moth and White Witch moth are other notably big moths recognized.

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²Carter, D. (2023). Handbook of Butterflies and Moths. (Print) DK.

³Garbis, S., & Reyes, A. (2023, September 20). Moth Symbolism: Spiritual and Metaphorical Meanings. wikiHow. Retrieved October 10, 2023, from <https://www.wikihow.com/Moth-Symbolism>

⁴Heimbuch, J. (2023). 8 Mesmerizing Facts About Moths. Treehugger. Retrieved October 10, 2023, from <https://www.treehugger.com/bizarre-facts-about-moths-4864534>

⁵Heimbuch, J. (2023). 20 Moth Species More Beautiful Than Butterflies. Treehugger. Retrieved October 10, 2023, from <https://www.treehugger.com/moth-species-more-beautiful-than-butterflies-4864257>

⁶Huffstetler, E. (2023, August 19). How to Get Rid of Pantry Moths. The Spruce. Retrieved October 10, 2023, from <https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-get-rid-of-pantry-moths-1389063>

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¹⁵Regan, S. (2022, October 5). Moth Symbolism: 3 Meanings + Why You’re Seeing Them | mindbodygreen. MindBodyGreen. Retrieved October 10, 2023, from <https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/moth-symbolism>

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¹⁹Zawislak, J. (2023). What’s that bug? – Luna Moths in Arkansas | Luna moth facts. Uaex.uada.edu. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://www.uaex.uada.edu/environment-nature/anr-blog/posts/whats-that-bug-luna-moth.aspx>

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²¹Pacific Northwest Moths. (2007). PNW Moths | Deilephila elpenor. Pacific Northwest Moths. Retrieved October 14, 2023, from <http://pnwmoths.biol.wwu.edu/browse/family-sphingidae/subfamily-macroglossinae/deilephila/deilephila-elpenor/>

²²Wikipedia. (2023, March 30). Dysphania militaris. Wikipedia. Retrieved October 14, 2023, from <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysphania_militaris>

²³Wikipedia. (2023, August 13). Agarista agricola. Wikipedia. Retrieved October 14, 2023, from <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agarista_agricola>

²⁴Wikipedia. (2023, July 11). Antheraea yamamai. Wikipedia. Retrieved October 14, 2023, from <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antheraea_yamamai>

²⁵Hall, D. W. (2007, June). luna moth – Actias luna (Linnaeus). Entomology and Nematology Department. Retrieved October 14, 2023, from <https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/moths/luna_moth.htm>

²⁶Wikipedia. (2023, January 21). Chrysiridia rhipheus. Wikipedia. Retrieved October 14, 2023, from <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysiridia_rhipheus>

²⁷Wikipedia. (2023, September 16). Daphnis nerii. Wikipedia. Retrieved October 14, 2023, from <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daphnis_nerii>

²⁸Adams, J., & Coyle, D. (2021, February 23). Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda) | Home & Garden Information Center. [email protected]. Retrieved October 14, 2023, from <https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/rosy-maple-moth-dryocampa-rubicunda/>

²⁹Wikipedia. (2021, August 24). Composia fidelissima. Wikipedia. Retrieved October 14, 2023, from <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composia_fidelissima>

³⁰Wikipedia. (2023, January 12). Hemaris. Wikipedia. Retrieved October 14, 2023, from <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemaris>

³¹Hypena scabra – Green Cloverworm Moth Photo by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren / Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0). Resized and Changed Format. From Flickr <https://flic.kr/p/2gveUrm>

³²Black witch moth (Ascalapha odorata) Photo by Charles J. Sharp / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black_witch_moth_(Ascalapha_odorata).JPG>

³³Euproctis chrysorrhoea-1 Photo by Fturmo / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Euproctis_chrysorrhoea-1.jpg>

³⁴Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus) -3 Photo by The High Fin Sperm Whale / Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported. Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Polyphemus_Moth_(Antheraea_polyphemus)_-3.JPG>

³⁵Josephscoatmoth Photo by Kobble Creek / Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported. Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Josephscoatmoth.jpg>

³⁶Josephscoatmoth Photo by Tom Tarrant / Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported. Resize and change format. Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved February 19, 2024, from <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Josephscoatmoth.jpg>

³⁷Composia fidelissima YPM ENT 815432 Photo by Fitzpatick, B. CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication, Resize and change format. Scan-Bugs.org. Retrieved February 19, 2024 from <https://scan-bugs.org/portal/collections/individual/index.php?occid=14262072>