ClipArt ETC
"Among the larger and more splendid moths of our own country is the Luna Moth, or Green Emperor Moth, <em>attacus luna</em> a large and beautiful species, common in the Northern United States. The wings, which are drawn out into what appears like a long tail, are of a light yellowish-green color, marked with eye-spots near the middle. The expanse of the wings is four inches. The caterpilar lives on walnut-trees, and spins a cocoon of which silk might be made. Many of these cocoons may be picked up on the ground, in autumn or spring, beneath the trees frequented by these insect." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Caterpillar of the Luna Moth

"Among the larger and more splendid moths of our own country is the Luna Moth, or Green Emperor Moth,…

"Among the larger and more splendid moths of our own country is the Luna Moth, or Green Emperor Moth, <em>attacus luna</em> a large and beautiful species, common in the Northern United States. The wings, which are drawn out into what appears like a long tail, are of a light yellowish-green color, marked with eye-spots near the middle. The expanse of the wings is four inches. The caterpilar lives on walnut-trees, and spins a cocoon of which silk might be made. Many of these cocoons may be picked up on the ground, in autumn or spring, beneath the trees frequented by these insect." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Chrysalis of the Luna Moth

"Among the larger and more splendid moths of our own country is the Luna Moth, or Green Emperor Moth,…

The owl moth is a moth whose larvae are known to feed on a wide array of plants including a range of plants cultivated by humans.

Owl Moth

The owl moth is a moth whose larvae are known to feed on a wide array of plants including a range of…

Aletia argillacea with wings expanded.

Owlet Moth

Aletia argillacea with wings expanded.

Aletia argillacea at rest.

Owlet Moth

Aletia argillacea at rest.

A brown and yellow insect.

Pickle Moth

A brown and yellow insect.

The larva of a <em>Margaronia nitidalis</em> on a small cucumber which had been eaten into.

Pickle Moth Larva

The larva of a Margaronia nitidalis on a small cucumber which had been eaten into.

Pine beauty moth is the common name of trachea piniperda. This moth is a heavy bodied insect with variegated wings of a reddish brown color. The wings are mottled with orange, yellow, white and sometimes green.

Pine Beauty Moth

Pine beauty moth is the common name of trachea piniperda. This moth is a heavy bodied insect with variegated…

"The insects of the group Pterophorina, are remarkable from the peculiar conformation of their wings. Each of these organs is split longitudinally into several branches, all of them delicately fringed. In the genus Pterophora the fore wings are divided into two, and the hind wings into three branches; while in Orneodes each wing is split into six, and these when the insect is at rest are folded together after the manner of a fan." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Plume Moth

"The insects of the group Pterophorina, are remarkable from the peculiar conformation of their wings.…

"The insects of the group Pterophorina, are remarkable from the peculiar conformation of their wings. Each of these organs is split longitudinally into several branches, all of them delicately fringed. In the genus Pterophora the fore wings are divided into two, and the hind wings into three branches; while in Orneodes each wing is split into six, and these when the insect is at rest are folded together after the manner of a fan." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Plume Moth

"The insects of the group Pterophorina, are remarkable from the peculiar conformation of their wings.…

"<i>Philampelus satellitia</i>, a large and handsome hawk-moth whose larva feeds upon the vine. Natural size. Left pair of wings omitted." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Satellite Sphinx Moth

"Philampelus satellitia, a large and handsome hawk-moth whose larva feeds upon the vine. Natural size.…

"The Sphingina or Sphinx Moths, so callled from the curious havit which the larva have of raising the anterior segments of their bodies, and remaining motionless in this position for hours, thus bearing a fanciful resemblace to the fabled Sphinx, are for the most part crepuscular and day-flying." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Sphinx Moth

"The Sphingina or Sphinx Moths, so callled from the curious havit which the larva have of raising the…

"The Sphingina or Sphinx Moths, so callled from the curious havit which the larva have of raising the anterior segments of their bodies, and remaining motionless in this position for hours, thus bearing a fanciful resemblace to the fabled Sphinx, are for the most part crepuscular and day-flying." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Sphinx Moth

"The Sphingina or Sphinx Moths, so callled from the curious havit which the larva have of raising the…

An illustration of a female spring cankerworm moth.

Spring Cankerworm Moth (Female)

An illustration of a female spring cankerworm moth.

An illustration of a male spring cankerworm moth.

Spring Cankerworm Moth (Male)

An illustration of a male spring cankerworm moth.

An illustration of a sugar-maple moth. A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. The differences between butterflies and moths are more than just taxonomy.

Sugar-Maple Moth

An illustration of a sugar-maple moth. A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being…

The swallow-tailed moth (Ourapteryx sambucaria) and the many-plumed moth (Ourapteryx hexadactyla).

Swallow-Tailed Moth

The swallow-tailed moth (Ourapteryx sambucaria) and the many-plumed moth (Ourapteryx hexadactyla).

The garden tiger moth (Arctia caja) is named for the different and colorful patterns on its wings.

Tiger Moth

The garden tiger moth (Arctia caja) is named for the different and colorful patterns on its wings.

The Garden Tiger Moth (Arctia caja) is a species of tiger moths that are also known by the synonym Euprepia caja.

Garden Tiger Moth

The Garden Tiger Moth (Arctia caja) is a species of tiger moths that are also known by the synonym Euprepia…

Tortricidae is a family of moths in the order Lepidoptera. They are commonly known as tortrix moths. It is a large family with over 6,300 species described, and is the sole member of the superfamily Tortricoidea. Many of these are economically important pests. Olethreutidae is a junior synonym. The typical resting posture is with the wings folded back producing a rather rounded profile.

Tortricidae

Tortricidae is a family of moths in the order Lepidoptera. They are commonly known as tortrix moths.…

Adult white ermine moth, Spilosoma Virginica.

White Ermine Moth

Adult white ermine moth, Spilosoma Virginica.

An illustration of a wingless female moth. Most species of moth are nocturnal, but there are crepuscular and diurnal species.

Wingless Moth (Female)

An illustration of a wingless female moth. Most species of moth are nocturnal, but there are crepuscular…

Mottled umber moth is the common name of hybernia defoliaria. The moths emerge between October and March. The females crowl on to the food plants to lay their eggs.

Male, Female, and Larva of the Mottled Umber Moth

Mottled umber moth is the common name of hybernia defoliaria. The moths emerge between October and March.…

"The Noctuina form an eceedingly large group of nocturnal moths, although even here there are a few exceptional instances of day-flying species. They are distinguished by their stout bodies and narrow forewings, under which when reposing they conceal the inferior and in many cases more brightly-colored pair. The majority of the species are small and dull in their colors, while a few are among the largest of known insects." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Noctuina

"The Noctuina form an eceedingly large group of nocturnal moths, although even here there are a few…

"The Noctuina form an eceedingly large group of nocturnal moths, although even here there are a few exceptional instances of day-flying species. They are distinguished by their stout bodies and narrow forewings, under which when reposing they conceal the inferior and in many cases more brightly-colored pair. The majority of the species are small and dull in their colors, while a few are among the largest of known insects." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Noctuina

"The Noctuina form an eceedingly large group of nocturnal moths, although even here there are a few…

The hind wings of the potherb moth are frequently unspotted. The body is thick and heavy. The color is usually dull.

Potherb Moth

The hind wings of the potherb moth are frequently unspotted. The body is thick and heavy. The color…

"The Pyralidina are a group of small moths readily distinguished by their long slender bodies and large forewings. One of these, Pyralis vitis, is very destructive to vines, and another, Pyralis farinalis, feeds upon meal and flour. The Galleridae, a family of Pyralidine moths, deposit their eggs in the hives of bees, where the caterpillars, enclosed in silken cases, devour the wax; but the Hydrocampidae, which also belong to this section, are probably the most wonderful of all Lepidopterous insects, their larva being aquatic, living and feeding in the water, and many of them beathing by gills similar to those of caddisworms." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Pyralidina

"The Pyralidina are a group of small moths readily distinguished by their long slender bodies and large…

"The Pyralidina are a group of small moths readily distinguished by their long slender bodies and large forewings. One of these, Pyralis vitis, is very destructive to vines, and another, Pyralis farinalis, feeds upon meal and flour. The Galleridae, a family of Pyralidine moths, deposit their eggs in the hives of bees, where the caterpillars, enclosed in silken cases, devour the wax; but the Hydrocampidae, which also belong to this section, are probably the most wonderful of all Lepidopterous insects, their larva being aquatic, living and feeding in the water, and many of them beathing by gills similar to those of caddisworms." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Pyralidina

"The Pyralidina are a group of small moths readily distinguished by their long slender bodies and large…

"The Pyralidina are a group of small moths readily distinguished by their long slender bodies and large forewings. One of these, Pyralis vitis, is very destructive to vines, and another, Pyralis farinalis, feeds upon meal and flour. The Galleridae, a family of Pyralidine moths, deposit their eggs in the hives of bees, where the caterpillars, enclosed in silken cases, devour the wax; but the Hydrocampidae, which also belong to this section, are probably the most wonderful of all Lepidopterous insects, their larva being aquatic, living and feeding in the water, and many of them beathing by gills similar to those of caddisworms." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Pyralidina

"The Pyralidina are a group of small moths readily distinguished by their long slender bodies and large…

"The Pyralidina are a group of small moths readily distinguished by their long slender bodies and large forewings. One of these, Pyralis vitis, is very destructive to vines, and another, Pyralis farinalis, feeds upon meal and flour. The Galleridae, a family of Pyralidine moths, deposit their eggs in the hives of bees, where the caterpillars, enclosed in silken cases, devour the wax; but the Hydrocampidae, which also belong to this section, are probably the most wonderful of all Lepidopterous insects, their larva being aquatic, living and feeding in the water, and many of them beathing by gills similar to those of caddisworms." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Pyralidina

"The Pyralidina are a group of small moths readily distinguished by their long slender bodies and large…

"The Pyralidina are a group of small moths readily distinguished by their long slender bodies and large forewings. One of these, Pyralis vitis, is very destructive to vines, and another, Pyralis farinalis, feeds upon meal and flour. The Galleridae, a family of Pyralidine moths, deposit their eggs in the hives of bees, where the caterpillars, enclosed in silken cases, devour the wax; but the Hydrocampidae, which also belong to this section, are probably the most wonderful of all Lepidopterous insects, their larva being aquatic, living and feeding in the water, and many of them beathing by gills similar to those of caddisworms." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Pyralidina

"The Pyralidina are a group of small moths readily distinguished by their long slender bodies and large…

Satin moth is the common name of liparis salicis. The caterpillar bears a row of white spots down the middle of the back. This row is bordered on each side by a broad black stripe. The caterpillars usually feed on poplars and willows.

Caterpillar of the Satin Moth

Satin moth is the common name of liparis salicis. The caterpillar bears a row of white spots down the…

16. Andrena cineraria, 17. Helix virgata, 18. Pod-lover moth, 19. Anurida maritima, 20. Machillis maritima, 21. Sea-slater, 22. Shore wainscot moth, 23. Ground lackey moth.

Types of Seashore Life

16. Andrena cineraria, 17. Helix virgata, 18. Pod-lover moth, 19. Anurida maritima, 20. Machillis maritima,…

"Clear-winged moths, Sesiidae, day-fliers, and looking more like bees, wasps, and ichneumons which they are supposed to imitate." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Sesiidae

"Clear-winged moths, Sesiidae, day-fliers, and looking more like bees, wasps, and ichneumons which they…

"Resplendent Shield-bearer (Coptodisca splendoriferella). a, leaf of apple showing work; b, summer larva; c, larva in case, traveling; d, cases tied up for winter; e, hibernating larva; f, pupa; g, moth; h, parasite: all enlarged." -Whitney, 1911

Resplendent Shield Bearer

"Resplendent Shield-bearer (Coptodisca splendoriferella). a, leaf of apple showing work; b, summer larva;…

A worm that produces silk.

Silkworm

A worm that produces silk.

"This important insect is a native of the north of China; and a great portion of the supplies of silk for Europe and America are still derived from that country." — Goodrich, 1859

Silkworm Moth, Caterpillar, and Chrysalis

"This important insect is a native of the north of China; and a great portion of the supplies of silk…

"The Hesperidae or Skippers, so called from their jerky hesitating mode of flight, show, in the thickness of their bodies, the only partially erect way in which they hold their wings when at rest, and the enclosure of their pupa in a cacoon, a distinct approach to the other great division of the Lepidoptera." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Skipper

"The Hesperidae or Skippers, so called from their jerky hesitating mode of flight, show, in the thickness…

"The Hesperidae or Skippers, so called from their jerky hesitating mode of flight, show, in the thickness of their bodies, the only partially erect way in which they hold their wings when at rest, and the enclosure of their pupa in a cacoon, a distinct approach to the other great division of the Lepidoptera." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Skipper

"The Hesperidae or Skippers, so called from their jerky hesitating mode of flight, show, in the thickness…

The front wings are the small ermine moth are white or gray with numerous small black dots. The lower wings are darker and uniform. The small moths usually do harm to trees and shrubs.

Small Ermine Moth and Web of Caterpillars

The front wings are the small ermine moth are white or gray with numerous small black dots. The lower…

"The Lime-tree sphinx, <em>Sphinx tiliae</em>, has the wings denticulated and angular; it is nocturnal, and flies heavily." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Lime-tree sphinx

"The Lime-tree sphinx, Sphinx tiliae, has the wings denticulated and angular; it is nocturnal,…

<i>Deilephila lineata</i>"...a common American moth of striking coloration, whose larva feeds on purslane." &mdash;Whitney, 1889 <p>A large moth with white and black stripes. The left wings are omitted.

White-Lined Morning Sphinx

Deilephila lineata"...a common American moth of striking coloration, whose larva feeds on purslane."…

<i>Deilephila lineata</i>"...a common American moth of striking coloration, whose larva feeds on purslane." —Whitney, 1889 <p>A large moth with white and black stripes. This illustration displays the whole moth whereas the left wings are omitted as in original illustration.

White-Lined Morning Sphinx

Deilephila lineata"...a common American moth of striking coloration, whose larva feeds on purslane."…

The tiger moth belongs to the bombycina tribe of moths.

Tiger Moth

The tiger moth belongs to the bombycina tribe of moths.

"The Tineina contain the smallest of the Lepidoptera, and are best known as clothes moths. These clothe themselves at our expense in the warmest woollen garments, which they traverse in all directions, leaving behind a gnawed and worn-out path, so thin and bare as to yield to the slightest pressure. They also destroy furs, hair, feathers, and many other articles of domestic economy, and are the exterminating pests of zoological museums. To them we no doubt owe the destruction of the most perfect specimen of the Dodo known, which was once preserved in the Ashmolean Museum of Oxford." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Tineina

"The Tineina contain the smallest of the Lepidoptera, and are best known as clothes moths. These clothe…

"The Tineina contain the smallest of the Lepidoptera, and are best known as clothes moths. These clothe themselves at our expense in the warmest woollen garments, which they traverse in all directions, leaving behind a gnawed and worn-out path, so thin and bare as to yield to the slightest pressure. They also destroy furs, hair, feathers, and many other articles of domestic economy, and are the exterminating pests of zoological museums. To them we no doubt owe the destruction of the most perfect specimen of the Dodo known, which was once preserved in the Ashmolean Museum of Oxford." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Tineina

"The Tineina contain the smallest of the Lepidoptera, and are best known as clothes moths. These clothe…

"The Tineina contain the smallest of the Lepidoptera, and are best known as clothes moths. These clothe themselves at our expense in the warmest woollen garments, which they traverse in all directions, leaving behind a gnawed and worn-out path, so thin and bare as to yield to the slightest pressure. They also destroy furs, hair, feathers, and many other articles of domestic economy, and are the exterminating pests of zoological museums. To them we no doubt owe the destruction of the most perfect specimen of the Dodo known, which was once preserved in the Ashmolean Museum of Oxford." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Tineina

"The Tineina contain the smallest of the Lepidoptera, and are best known as clothes moths. These clothe…

The Five-Spotted Hawkmoth (Manduca quinquemaculata) is a brown and gray hawk moth of the Sphingidae family. The caterpillar is often referred to as the tomato hornworm and can be a major pest in gardens. The tomato hornworm larva is a green caterpillar, with eight, v-shaped markings on its side and has a black horn on its rear just as other hornworms.

Tomato Worm

The Five-Spotted Hawkmoth (Manduca quinquemaculata) is a brown and gray hawk moth of the Sphingidae…

"The Tortricina include a great number of small moths exceedingly injurious to orchard and other trees. They are known as "leaf-rollers" from the habit which most of their larva have of rolling up the leaves on which they feed, and thus forming a shelter for themselves. The Green Tortrix occurs in the larva state on the oak, to which it often does great injurt by stripping the trees of their leaves in the month of June. Throughout Southern Europe the vine is liable to the ravages of another species, Aenectra pillariana, while few of our fruit trees are exempt from the occasional attacks of some species or other of the Carpocapsidae, the fruit-eating family of this group." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica; 1893

Tortricina

"The Tortricina include a great number of small moths exceedingly injurious to orchard and other trees.…

The vapourer moth belongs to the bombycina tribe of moths.

Vapourer Moth

The vapourer moth belongs to the bombycina tribe of moths.

Vapourer moth is the common name of orgyia antiqua. Pictured is the male moth. The body is dark brown and the wings are rusty brown.

Vapourer Moth

Vapourer moth is the common name of orgyia antiqua. Pictured is the male moth. The body is dark brown…

Vapourer moth is the common name of orgyia antiqua. The larva is covered with yellowish hairs. The larva may reach two inches in length.

Larva of Vapourer Moth

Vapourer moth is the common name of orgyia antiqua. The larva is covered with yellowish hairs. The larva…

An illustration of warblers feeding on the young caterpillars of the Gipsy moth.

Warblers Eating Caterpillars

An illustration of warblers feeding on the young caterpillars of the Gipsy moth.

The Fall Webworm and its stages of life, including the caterpillar, pupae, and moth.

Fall Webworm

The Fall Webworm and its stages of life, including the caterpillar, pupae, and moth.

Female winter moths have wings so small that they have little to no use. The females must crawl up the plants on which they lay their eggs.

Male, Female, and Caterpillar of the Winter Moth

Female winter moths have wings so small that they have little to no use. The females must crawl up the…

Xylina antennata species; adult moth.

Xylina

Xylina antennata species; adult moth.

Xylina antennata species; larva in peach.

Xylina

Xylina antennata species; larva in peach.

"The Zigzag, <em>Bombyx dispar</em>, has a short trunk or tube, not suited for suction; the male is much smaller than the female; his superior wings being bown with black zigzag figures. The female is whitish with black spots on her wings. This is a European species which sometimes does immense damage to the fruit-trees." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Zigzag

"The Zigzag, Bombyx dispar, has a short trunk or tube, not suited for suction; the male is…