LEPIDOPTERA LIBRARY

Lepidoptera is an order of winged insects that includes moths and butterflies.

This LEPIDOPTERA LIBRARY contains all the moths and butterflies that have been observed and verified in and around the Pinhey Sand Dunes. When visiting the dunes keep a lookout for these winged wonders.

 A

American Dagger

 

Acronicta americana

  • Moth
  • Flight season is April – September
  • 50 – 65 mm wingspan
  • Found in deciduous woodlands and forests in Northern America east of the Rocky Mountains
  • The caterpillar’s hairs can cause skin irritation

Aphrodite Fritillary   

Speyeria aphrodite

  • Butterfly
  • Flight season is June – August
  • 51 – 73 mm wingspan
  • Found in a wide range of habitats in northern North America including wet meadows, wooded areas, and prairie meadows

Armyworm Moth

Mythimna unipuncta
  • Moth
  • Wingspan of ~ 40 mm
  • Found in North America east of the Rocky Mountains
  • Named because the caterpillar will eat until nothing is left then “march” to a new food source

B

Banded Tussock Moth 

Halysidota tessellaris

  • Moth
  • Flight season is May – August
  • 40 -45 mm wingspan
  • It is common to abundant across North America
  • The larva can have a wide range of colors from white to deep orange

Black Swallowtail   

Papilio polyxenes

  • Butterfly
  • Flight season is May – August
  • 52 – 94 mm wingspan
  • Found in the northern US and southeastern Canada usually near damp meadows
  • females are typically larger than males

Brown-hooded Owlet

Cucullia convexipennis
  • Moth
  • Flight season is June – September
  • 40 – 50 mm wingspan
  • Found in southern Canada and northern US east of the Rocky Mountains
  • Caterpillars are sometimes called Calico Paint

C

Canadian Tiger Swallowtail 

Papilio canadensis

  • Butterfly
  • Flight season is May – June
  • 53 – 90 mm wingspan
  • Extensive range across Canada even found north of the Arctic Circle
  • Hundreds will gather at a single puddle

Common Ringlet 

Coenonympha california

  • Butterfly
  • Flight season is May – July
  • 27 – 39 mm wingspan
  • Found across North America and northern Eurasia in a variety of grassy habitats
  • Also known as the California ringlet

Common Spring Moth

Heliomata cycladata
  • Moth
  • Flight season is March – July
  • 20 mm wingspan
  • Found in the northeastern US and southeastern Canada

Compton Tortoiseshell 

Nymphalis I-album
  • Butterfly
  • Flight season is July – June the next year
  • 52 – 70 mm wingspan
  • Found across North America in woodland habitat
  • Named the town of Compton, Quebec

Copper Underwing  

Amphipyra pyramidoides
  • Moth
  • Flight season is July – October
  • 38 – 52 mm wingspan
  • Found across the US and in southern Canada
  • Larva are sometimes called Humped Green Fruitworm

Cottonwood Dagger 

Acronicta lepusculina
  • Moth
  • Flight season is April – September
  • 40 – 50 mm wingspan
  • Found all across the US and southern Canada in treed floodplains and forested riverbanks
  • Its cocoon is composed of silk and bits of wood

D

Definite Tussock Moth

 

Orgyia definita

  • Moth
  • 30 mm wingspan
  • Found in southeastern Canada and northeastern US
  • Hairs on the caterpillar in this genus can cause skin irritation

Dreamy Duskywing   

Erynnis icelus

  • Butterfly
  • Flight season is May – June
  • 23 – 30 mm wingspan
  • Found across Canada and prefers sandy or muddy areas
  • Named for their “closed eyes” which refers to the lack of white dots on the dorsal wing

Dun Skipper

Euphyes vestris
  • Butterfly
  • Flight season is June – August
  • 23 -27 mm wingspan
  • Mainly found in central and eastern Canada in grassy areas and meadows
  • Also known as a Sedge Witch

E

Eastern Comma 

Polygonia comma

  • Butterfly
  • Flight season is April-October
  • 37 – 56 mm wingspan
  • Widespread in eastern North America preferring moist wetlands
  • They have a summer and winter form

Eastern Pine Elfin 

Callophrys niphon

  • Butterfly
  • Flight season is May – June
  • 22 – 27 mm wingspan
  • Found mainly in eastern North America in sandy areas with pine trees
  • This species can be extremely variable in looks 

Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth

Malacosoma americana

  • Moth
  • Flight season is June – July
  • 22 – 24 mm wingspan
  • Found from Nova Scotia to Alberta in Canada and in the central and eastern US
  • They form communal nests in the branches of trees

Eight-spotted Forester Moth

Alypia octomaculata

  • Moth
  • Flight season is March – July
  • 30 – 37 mm wingspan
  • Found in the eastern US and southeastern Canada in open areas with flowering plants near woodlands
  • Can enter a dormant state while pupae for up to 4 years if the environmental conditions aren’t favorable

European Skipper

Thymelicus lineola
  • Butterfly
  • Flight season is June – August
  • 19 – 26 mm wingspan
  • Found across temperate Eurasia, and northwest Africa and was introduced to North America where it lives in grassy areas 
  • Believed to have been introduced to North America through overwintering eggs in grass seed brought into London, Ontario

F

Forest Tent Caterpillar  Moth 

Malacosma disstria

  • Moth
  • Flight season is April – August
  • 25 – 45 mm wingspan
  • Widely distributed in Canada but mainly in the south in forests that contain alder, basswood, birch, cherry, oak, poplar, or willow trees
  • They weave silky sheets where they lie during molting 

Four-barred Gray

Aethalura intertexta

  • Moth
  • 25 mm wingspan
  • Widespread in eastern North America and parts of the pacific northwest 
  • Also known as the smoky carpet moth

G

Gray Spring Moth

Lomographa glomeraria

  • Moth
  • Flight season is March – June
  • 25 mm wingspan
  • Found in the eastern US and southeastern Canada in shrubby fields and woodlands
  • They feed on stone fruit trees

Gray Spring Zale Moth 

Zale submediana

  • Moth
  • 39 mm wingspan
  • Found in the eastern US and southeastern Canada in upland and wetland woodlands containing pine

Green Cloverworm Moth 

Hypena scabra
  • Moth
  • They are active year-round on warm days
  • 25 – 35 mm wingspan
  • Found in eastern North America in fields, gardens, and wooded edges
  • There are multiple generations in a year

H

Henry’s Elfin 

Callophrys henrici

  • Butterfly
  • Flight season is May – June
  • 20 – 25 mm wingspan
  • Widespread in much of North America, often found in open deciduous woodlands
  • Larva can vary widely in color from yellow to maroon

Hologram Moth 

Diachrysia balluca

  • Moth
  • Flight season is June – September
  • 20 -25 mm wingspan
  • Found in eastern Canada and northeastern US
  • Its iridescence may serve as an optical illusion to evade predators

I

Isabella Tiger Moth 

Pyrharctia isabella

  • Moth
  • Flight season is March – November
  • 45 – 65 mm wingspan
  • Commonly found throughout North America 
  • Caterpillars are commonly called Wooly Bears

J

K

L

Large Yellow Underwing 

Noctua pronuba

  • Moth
  • 30 – 60 mm wingspan 
  • Found in most of North America but is native to Eurasia

Laurel Sphinx

Sphinx kalmiae

  • Moth
  • Flight season is May – August
  • 75 – 103 mm wingspan
  • Found in the temperate areas of the US and southern Canada 
  • In Louisiana it is known to have as many as 6 generations 

Little Wood Satyr 

Megisto cymela
  • Butterfly
  • Flight season is June – July
  • 29 – 42 mm wingspan
  • Found in the eastern and central US and southern Canada in woody and shrubby areas

M

Many-spotted Scoparia Moth

Scoparia basalis

  • Moth
  • Flight season is April – November
  • 13 mm wingspan
  • Widespread throughout eastern North America

Maple Loop Moth 

Parallelia bisteris

  • Moth
  • Flight season is March – September
  • 33 – 43 mm wingspan
  • Found in eastern North America in deciduous forest
  • Caterpillars feed on birch, maple, and walnut trees

Mcdunnough’s Eudonia

Eudonia heterosalis
  • Moth
  • Flight season is February – November
  • 13 mm wingspan
  • Found in eastern North America but only in southern Canada

Milkweed Tussock Moth 

Euchaetes Egle
  • Moth
  • Flight season is May – September
  • 32 – 43 mm wingspan
  • Found in eastern North America but only in southern Canada in fields and edges with milkweed
  • They acquire chemical defense from their host plants

Monarch 

Danaus plexippus
  • Butterfly
  • Flight season is May – November
  • 93 – 105 mm wingspan
  • Has a vast North American range
  • Requires milkweed to survive

Morbid Owlet

Chyrolita morbidalis
  • Moth
  • Flight season is June – August
  • 29 – 35 mm wingspan
  • Found in North America in deciduous woods and edges
  • The name “morbid” comes from its “sickly” pale color

Mourning Cloak 

Nymphalis antiopa
  • Butterfly
  • Flight season is April – October
  • 45 – 70 mm wingspan
  • Found throughout Canada in almost any habitat

N

Nameless Pinion 

Lithophane innominata

  • Moth
  • Flight season is April – October
  • 35 – 39 mm wingspan
  • Found across North America
  • Considered a vulnerable species in Manitoba and Saskatchewan 

Northern Azure 

Celastrina lucia

  • Butterfly
  • Flight season is April – July
  • 22 – 35 mm wingspan
  • Found in eastern North America
  • Caterpillar color depends on their food source 

Northern Cloudywing 

Thorybes pylades
  • Butterfly
  • Flight season is May – July
  • 28 – 38 mm wingspan
  • Found across the US and Canada in partially wooded areas with flowering plants

O

Olive-shaded Bird-dropping Moth 

Ponometia candefacta

  • Moth
  • Flight season is April – September
  • 18 – 22 mm wingspan
  • Found across North America and southern Canada in dry weedy and disturbed areas
  • Species was introduced to Russia as a biological control agent for common ragweed

P

Packard’s Concealer Moth

Semioscopis packardella

  • Moth
  • Flight season is March – October
  • 10 – 14 mm wingspan
  • Found in southern Canada and northern US woodlands, shrubby areas
  • Peak time is April – May

Painted Lady 

Vanessa cardui

  • Butterfly
  • Flight season is May – October
  • 42 – 66 mm wingspan
  • Found on all continents except Antarctica and South America across very different habitats; deserts to heavily wooded areas

Pale Beauty 

Campaea perlata

  • Moth
  • Flight season is June – September
  • 28 – 51 mm wingspan
  • Found across North America in woodlands and shrubby areas
  • Female adults are much larger than males

Pine False Looper Moth  

Zale duplicata

  • Moth
  • 34 – 36 mm wingspan
  • Found from New Brunswick to North Carolina in eastern white pine woodlands

Poison Ivy Leaf-miner Moth

Cameraria guttifinitella

  • Moth
  • 7 mm wingspan
  • Widespread across North America
  • Caterpillars feed on poison ivy

Polyphemus Moth 

Antheraea polyphemus
  • Moth
  • Flight season is April – November
  • 100 -150 mm wingspan
  • Found across North America in deciduous forests
  • Hindwings are believed to resemble the head of the Great Horned Owl to deter predators

Primrose Moth 

Schinia florida
  • Moth
  • Flight season is June – September
  • 27 – 36 mm wingspan
  • Found in temperate North America in fields and clearings
  • Caterpillars eat the flower buds of evening primroses

Promethea Silkmoth 

Callosamia promethea
  • Moth
  • Flight season is March – August
  • 75 – 95 mm wingspan
  • Found from the east coast to the great plains in North America and southern Canada in deciduous forests
  • They visually mimic the toxic Pipe Vine Swallowtail to protect from predators

Q

R

Red-banded Leafroller Moth 

Argryotaenia veluntinana

  • Moth
  • 13 – 20 mm wingspan
  • Found in eastern US and southeastern Canada

Red-headed Inchworm Moth

Macaria bisignata

  • Moth
  • Flight season is May – August
  • 25 mm wingspan
  • Found across the US and southern Canada
  • Caterpillars almost exclusively feed on pine

Red-spotted Admiral 

Limenutus artemis

  • Butterfly
  • Flight season is June – September
  • 47 – 78 mm wingspan
  • Found commonly throughout all provinces in clearing in wooded areas

Reticulated Fruitworm Moth

Cenopis reticulatana
  • Moth
  • Flight season is June – August
  • 15 – 17 mm wingspan
  • Found in eastern North America 
  • They roll leaves together to build feeding sites and shelters

S

Salt Marsh Moth 

Estigmene acres

  • Moth
  • Flight season is May – August
  • 45 – 68 mm wingspan
  • Found in North America and southwards in open woodlands, meadows, farm fields, grasslands and marshes
  • When disturbed adults drop to the ground inflate their lower wings raise their forewings and emit an acrid odor

Silver-spotted Skipper 

Epargyreus clarus

  • Butterfly
  • 43 – 50 mm wingspan
  • Found in North America in gardens, alongside roads, and in open areas

Smith’s Dart

Xestia smithii
  • Moth
  • Flight season is June – October
  • 35 – 40 mm wingspan
  • Found in northern North America

Spongy Moth

Lymatria dispar

  • Moth
  • 38 mm wingspan
  • Native to Eurasia but has been introduced to Africa, North America, and South America
  • Also known as the Gypsy moth

Sweetheart Underwing

Catocala amatrix
  • Moth
  • Flight season is August – October
  • 75 – 95 mm wingspan
  • Found in eastern North America near poplar and black willow trees
  • They pupate on the ground

T

U

Unicorn Prominent 

Coelodasys unicornis

  • Moth
  • Flight season is February – September
  • 24 – 35 mm wingspan
  • Found in North America south of the Arctic Circle in deciduous woodland and shrubby areas
  • Caterpillar can eject a stream of formic acid up to 7 inches

V

Virginia Ctenucha Moth 

Ctenucha virginica

  • Moth
  • Flight season is May – July
  • 40 – 50 mm wingspan
  • Found across eastern North America
  • Over the last 60 years its range has expanded westward to include all provinces

W

Watermilfoil Leafcutter Moth

Parapoynx allionealis

  • Moth
  • 16 mm wingspan
  • Found across North America
  • Caterpillars live in portable cases made from plant material

White Striped Black 

Trichodezia albovittata

  • Moth
  • Flight season is April – September
  • 20 – 25 mm wingspan
  • Found across North America in damp deciduous woodlands
  • Caterpillars feed on touch-me-not a type of jewelweed

X

Y

Z