Lepidoptera (Moths)
Lepidoptera or Moths have been around for about 150 million years. There are more than 110,000 species and they are responsible for pollinating the majority of our plants. Each moth is given a number, known as the Hodges number. This system came about in 1983.
Most caterpillars are host specific meaning that particular species is a must for them to survive. Caterpillars have 13 segments and 5 pairs of prolegs. If you find one with more than 5 prolegs, it could be a sawfly. Caterpillars grow by molting and will molt 5 times with some surprising and interesting variety in their appearance after a molt. The change from a caterpillar to a moth is remarkable; inside the cocoon the caterpillar turns to a liquid goo and all the parts reform – truly an amazing aspect of nature!
Fifty-five percent of overwintering moths are in their pupa form.
List – Updated Feb 2024
Apatelodidae (American Silkworm Moths)
Argyresthiidae (Shiny Head standing Moths)
Blastobasidae (Scavenger Moths)
Choreutidae (Metalmark Moths)
Coleophoridae (Casebearer Moths)
Cossidae (Carpenterworm and Leopard Moths)
Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
Depressariidae (Grass Miner Moths)
Erebidae (Tiger, Lichen, Underwing, Litter, and Snout Moths)
Gelechiidae (Twirler Moths)
Isophrictis similiella or I rudbeckiella
Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
Eulithis diversilineata or gracilineata
Gracillariidae (Leaf Blotch Miner Moths)
Leucanthiza amphicarpeaefoliella
Lasiocampidae (Tent Caterpillar and Lappet Moths)
Limacodidae (Slug Caterpillar Moths)
Momphidae (Momphid Moths)
Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
Nolidae (Nola Moths)
Notodontidae (Prominent Moths)
Oecophoridae (Concealer Moths)
Plutelidae (Diamondback Moths)
Pterophoridae (Plume Moths)
Pyralidae (Grass and Lawnmower Moths)
Saturniidae (Giant Silkworm and Royal Moths)
Schreckensteiniidae (Bristle legged Moths)
Sphingidae (Sphinx Moths)
Tineidae (Clothes Moths)
Tortricidae (Leaffolders, Leafrollers, Fruit, and Bell Moths)
Yponomeutidae (Ermine Moths)
Ypsolophidae (Falcate winged Moths)