Moth Species in Mississippi

Noctuidae

• The Noctuidae family of moths includes over 35,000 species of moths. In Mississippi, the most common Noctuidae moths are the owlet moths and miller moths. These moth species have over 30 individual subspecies native to Mississippi, including prominents and heterocampas. The caterpillars of these species are considered pests because they eat crops.

Sphingidae

• In Mississippi, the Sphingidae moth family includes sphinx moths and hawkmoths. The most famous caterpillars of the Sphingidae species are the hornworm, including the tomato hornworm in particular. Tomato hornworms are large green caterpillars that are commonly found eating tomato plants. They are sometimes referred to as hummingbird moths.

Arctiidae

• Arctiidae moths in Mississippi include tiger moths and lichen moths. Tiger moths are known for being more colorful than other moths, while lichen moths are more drably colored. Arctiidae moths are the family which the woolly bear caterpillar belongs to, and most Arctiidae caterpillars appear to be hairy or fuzzy.

Erebidae

• The Erebidae genus of moths only has two species that are found in Mississippi. These moth species include the black witch and the washed-out zale moth. The black witch moth is common all over the United States but only found in the southernmost tip of Mississippi and the washed-out zale is nationally rarer, with a small population in northern Mississippi.

Single Species

• Some moths found in Mississippi are the only members of their species, including the Ailanthus webworm moth, the grape leaffolder moth, the spiny looper and the Eastern tent caterpillar moth.