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
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And don’t forget to mention that wonderful resource: Bugguide.net, http://bugguide.net/node/view/82.
You can narrow it down to Philadelphia county: http://bugguide.net/adv_search/bgsearch.php?user=&taxon=82&description=&location%5B%5D=PA&county=Philadelphia&adult=&immature=&male=&female=&representative= and you can use a google map from that link.
I use it all the time. I have contributed a few images of moths from Southeastern PA to this site; but I tend to take more pictures of bees and flies than moths.
Thanks for the additional resource. It is a great resource I have surfed the site in the past and will use it more in the future.
Thanks, I can really use these resources. It looks like BAMONA welcomes submissions of pics to help with ID. I just might avail myself.
Glad I could help, Scott.