Moths of Philadelphia: A Checklist

 

 

The moths of Philadelphia are an exclusive bunch, numbering only fifty-two species. The 52 species on this list are confirmed to fly around in theCity of Philadelphia (Philadelphia County). I am fascinated by moths, but I often don’t venture out moth-hunting. I can go in my garden at night, but for the last week I have been a “walking mosquito buffet”. So, no going outside after dusk.

I think moths are often prettier than butterflies.

 

Further Moth-flavored Info

There are over 10,500 identified species of moths in North America, north of Mexico. And there very few books on moths except a handful of regional guides. Caterpillars of Eastern North America: A Guide to Identification and Natural History (Princeton Field Guides) by David L. Wagner is one-of-kind and I find it extremely useful. I would like to read Owlet Caterpillars of Eastern North America also by David L. Wagner, but there is only one Owlet moth listed for Philadelphia, the Striped Garden Caterpillar. But, the book may be valuable for your hometown.  Create your county list and find out.

Mr. John Snyder’s website is useful for identification http://facweb.furman.edu/%7Esnyderjohn/leplist/

Since this list is for my hometown of Philly, don’t despair. You can generate a list for your county at the website of Butterflies and Moths of North America sponsored by Montana State University  at http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/. Look under “regional lists”.

All the hyperlinks below take you to the species account at the Butterflies and Moths of North America website.

Moths of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania

Saturniidae Wild Silk Moths

Sphingidae Sphinx Moths, Hawkmoths

Notodontidae Prominents

Arctiidae Tiger Moths and Lichen Moths

Noctuidae Owlet Moths, Miller Moths

Yponomeutidae Yponomeutid Moths

Pyralidae Pyralid Moths

Geometridae Geometer Moths, Looper Moths