Moths are all around us, and I’m delighted by their diversity. They can be quite small or as large as your hand. Some resemble bark or lichen, while others are quite colorful and remind me of works of art.
This chart includes photographs of moths I have seen, many of them in our backyard. My primary source of information for identification, taxonomy, Hodges number, and common names, has been Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America, David Beadle & Seabrooke Leckie, 2012.
You’ll find more information on the locations, and additional moth resources at the bottom of the page.
Note: Click any image for a larger version, then click the left or right arrow (on the image or on your keyboard) for the next image.
ERMINE and NEEDLEMINER MOTHS – Families Lyonetiidae and Yponomeutiidae |
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| Ailanthus webworm Atteva aurea #2401 Lexington, KY, 9-2008 | |
SLUGS – Family Limacodidae |
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| Abbreviated Button Slug Moth Tortricidia flexuosa #4654 Natural Bridge, 2016-7 Hosts: | Skiff Moth Prolimacodes badia #4671 Natural Bridge, 2016-7 Hosts: |
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| Spun Glass Slug Moth Isochates beutenmuelleri #4675 Natural Bridge, 2016-7 | |
ARCHIPS LEAFROLLER MOTHS – Family Tortricidae |
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| Lined Oak Leafroller Argyrotaenia quercifoliana #3623 Lexington, KY, 2016-7 Hosts: oak and witch hazel | |
GRASS VENEERS - Family Crambidae, Subfamily Crambinae |
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| Snowy Urola Urola nivalis #5404 Lexington, KY, 2016-5 Hosts: grasses | Sod Webworm Pediasis trisecta #5413 Lexington, KY, 2015-7 Hosts: grasses |
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| Elegant Grass-Veneer Microcrambus elegans #5464 Lexington, KY, 2016-6 Hosts: grasses | |
AQUATIC CRAMBIDS – Family Crambidae, Subfamily Acentropinae |
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| Waterlily Leafcutter Synclita obliteralis #4755 Lexington, KY, 2012-6 Hosts: aquatic plants | |
PYRAUSTINA MOTHS – Family Crambidae, Subfamily Pyraustinae |
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| Orange-spotted Pyrausta Pyrausta orphisalis #5058 Lexington, KY, 2014-7 Hosts: mint | Celery Leaftier Udea rubigalis #5079 Lexington, KY, 2012-6 Hosts: low plants |
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| Lucerne Moth Nomophila nearctia #5156 Lexington, KY, 2012-5 Hosts: widespread | White-headed Grape Leaffolder Dsmia maculalis #5160 Lexington, KY, 2015-7 Hosts: grape |
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| Ironweed Root Moth Polygrammodes flavidalis #5228 Mothapalooza, 2016-8 Hosts: ironweed | |
HABROSYNES, TYATRIDS & HOOKTIPS - Family Depranidae |
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| Glorious Habrosyne #6236 Mothapalooza, 2016-8 Hosts: birch, raspberry | Rose Hooktip Oreta rosa #6255 Mothapalooza, 2016-8 Hosts: birch, viburnum |
CARPETS AND PUGS - Family Geometridae, Subfamily Larentiinae |
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| Lesser Grapevine Looper Eulithis diversilineata #7196 Lexington, KY, 2015-8 Hosts: grape / V. creeper | Cherry Scallop Shell Rheumaptera hastata #7292 Floracliff, 2016-7 Hosts: azalea, willow |
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| The Gem Orthonama obstipata #7414 Lexington, KY, 2012-6 Hosts: low plants, ragweed | Bent-Line Carpet Costaconvexa centrostrigaria #7416 Lexington, KY, 2015 Hosts: low plants, smartweed |
EMERALDS - Family Geometridae, Subfamily Geometrinae |
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| Showy Emerald Dichorda iridaria #7053 Natural Bridge, 2012-7 | Wavy-lined Emerald Synchlora aerata #7058# Natural Bridge, 2012-7 |
WAVES - Family Geometridae, Subfamily Sterrhinae |
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| Common Tan Wave Pleuroprucha insulsaria #7132 Lexington, KY, 6-2012 | Packard's Wave Cyclophora parkardi #7136 Lexington, KY, 2016-5 Hosts: unknown |
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| Chickweed Geometer Haematopis grataria #7146 Lexington, KY, 2015-7 Hosts: chickweed, clover, + | |
TYPICAL GEOMETERS - Family Geometridae, Subfamily Ennominae |
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| Birch Angle Macaria notata/promiscuta #6330 Ohio, 2016-8 Hosts: birch, alder | Minor Angle Macaria minorata #6340 Lexington, KY, 2012-6 Hosts: white and red pine |
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| Red-headed Inchworm Macaria bisignata #6342 Lexington, KY, 2012-8 Hosts: pine | Hemlock Angle Macaria fissonatata #6348 Natural Bridge, 2016-4 Hosts: hemlock |
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| Large Purplish Gray Iridopsis vellivolata #6582 Lexington, KY, 2016-4 Hosts: pine, spruce | |
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| Bent-line Gray Irdopsis larvaria (6588) Natural Bridge, 7-2012 | Common Gray Anavitrinella pampinaria (6590) Lexington, KY, 7-2012 |
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| Tulip-tree Beauty Epimecis hortaria (6599) Natural Bridge, 4-2016 | Signate Melanolophia Melanolophiasignataria #6621 |
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| One-Spotted Variant Hypagyrtis unipunctata #6654 2016-8 Hosts: trees, pine, oak, + | Deep Yellow Euchlaena Euchlaena amoenaria #6733 Floracliff, 2016-7 Hosts: unknown |
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| False Crocus Geometer Xanthotype urticaria #6740 Floracliff, 2016 Hosts: goldenrod, dogwood | Morrison's Pero Pero morrisonaria #6755 , 2011- Hosts: pine, spruce |
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| Oak Beauty Phaeoura quernaria #6763 Lexington, KY, 2016- Hosts: elm, oak | Pale Beauty Campaea periata (6796) Holly River WV, 2012-5 |
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| Alien Probole Probole alienaria #6837 Holly River, WV, 2011-6 Hosts: trees, shrubs | Hollow-spotted Plagodis Plagodis alcoolaria #6844 Floracliff, 2016-7 Hosts: maple, oak |
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| Confused Euscarca Eusarca confusaria #6941 Lexington, KY, 2016-8 Hosts: sumac, willow | Large Maple Spanworm Prochoerodes lineola (6982) Natural Bridge, 9-2014 |
APATELODID MOTHS - Family Apatelodidae |
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| Spotted Apatelodes Apatelodes torrefacta #7663 Natural Bridge, -6 Hosts: ash, maple, oak | |
TENT CATERPILLAR AND LAPPET MOTHS - Family Lasiocampidae |
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| Dot-lined White Moth Artace cribarius #7683 Natural Bridge | Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth Malacosoma americana #7701 Lexington, KY |
ROYAL SILKWORM MOTHS - Family Saturniidae, Subfamily Ceratocampinae |
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| Imperial Moth Eacles imperialis #7704 Natural Bridge, 2016 Hosts: maple, oak, walnut | Regal Moth Citheronia regalis #7706 Natural Bridge, 2016 Hosts: walnut, ash, hickory |
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| Rosy Maple Moth Dryocampa rubicunda #7715 Natural Bridge | Pink-Striped Oakworm Moth Anisota virginiensis #7723 Ohio, 2016-8 Hosts: red oak |
GIANT SILKWORM MOTHS - Family Saturniidae, Subfamily Saturniinae |
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| Polyphemus Moth Antheraea polyphemus #7757 Natural Bridge | Luna Moth Actias luna #7758 Natural Bridge |
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| Promethea Moth Callosamia promethea #7764 Lexington, KY | Tulip-Tree Silkmoth Callisamia angulifera #7765 Ohio, 2016-8 Hosts: tulip tree, cherry, sassafras |
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| Cecropia Moth Hyalophora cecropia #7767 Lexington, KY | |
LARGE SPHINX MOTHS - Family Sphingidae, Subfamily Sphinginae |
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| Five-Spotted Hawkmoth Manduca quinquemaculatus #7776 Lexington, KY | Ash Sphinx Manduca jasminearum #7783 Lexington, KY, 2012-7 Hosts: ash, maple, oak |
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| Elm Sphinx Ceratomia amyntor #7786 Natural Bridge | Waved Sphinx Ceratomia undulosa #7787 Natural Bridge |
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| Catalpa Sphinx Ceratomia catalpae #7789 Lexington, KY, 2016-5 Hosts: catalpa | Laurel Sphinx Sphinx kalmiae #7809 Ohio, 2016-8 Hosts: laurel, ash, lilac |
EYED SPHINX MOTHS - Family Sphingidae, Subfamily Smerinthinae |
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| Blinded Sphinx Paonias excaecata #7824 Ohio, 2016-8 Hosts: willow, basswood | |
SMALL SPHINX MOTHS - Family Sphingidae, Subfamily Macroglossinae |
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| Snowberry Clearwing Hemaris diffinis #7855 Lexington, KY | Abbott's Sphinx Sphecodina abbotiti #7870 Natural Bridge |
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| Lettered Sphinx Deidamia inscriptum #7871 Natural Bridge, 2014-7 Hosts: grape, Virginia creeper | Nessus Sphinx Amphion floridensis #7873 S. Carolina |
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| Virginia Creeper Sphinx Darapsa myron #7885 Lexington, KY, 2016-7 Hosts: Virginia creeper, grape, viburnum | Azalea Sphinx Darapsa choerilus #7886 Natural Bridge, 2012-8 Hosts: azalea, blueberry, viburnum |
PROMINENTS - Family Notodontidae |
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| Contracted Datana Datana contracta #7906 Natural Bridge | White-Dotted Prominent Nadata gibbosa #7915 Lexington, KY, 2016-5 Hosts: oak, maple, cherry |
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| Angulose Prominent Peridea Angulosa #7920 Ohio, 2016-8 Hosts: oak | White-blotched Heterocampa Heterocampa umbrata #7990 Ohio, 2016-8 Hosts: oak |
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| Wavy-Lined Heterocampa Heterocampa biundata #7995 Ohio, 2016-8 Hosts: willow, hickory | Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar Moth Lochmaeus manteo #7998 Ohio, 2016-8 Hosts: oak, beech, chestnut |
TUSSOCK MOTHS - Family Erebidae, Subfamily Lymantriinae |
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| Yellow-Based Tussock Moth Dasychira basiflava #8296 Natural Bridge, 2012-7 Hosts: oak | |
TIGER MOTHS - Family Erebidae, Subfamily Arctiinae, Tribe Arctiini |
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| Clymene Moth Haploa clymene #8107 Natural Bridge | Isabella Tiger Moth Pyrrharctia isabella #8129 Lexington, KY |
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| Virginian Tiger Moth Spilosoma virginica #8137 Lexington, KY, 2010-7 Hosts: maple, willow, walnut | Giant Leopard Moth Hypercompe scibonia #8146 Natural Bridge |
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| Nais Tiger Moth Apantesis nais #8171 Lexington, KY | Banded Tussock Moth Halsidota tessellaris #8203 Natural Bridge |
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| Hickory Tussock Moth Lophocampa caryae #8211 Natural Bridge | Delicate Cycnia Cycnia tenera #8230 Ohio, 2016-8 Hosts: milkweed, hemp |
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| Yellow-Collared Scape Moth Cisseps fulvicollis #8267 Lexington, KY | |
LITTER MOTHS - Family Erebidae, Subfamily Lymantriinae |
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| American Idia Idia americalis #8322 Lexington, KY, 2016-8 Hosts: lichen | Common Idia Idia aemula #8323 Lexington, KY, 2016-8 Hosts: dead leaves |
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| Faint-Spotted Palthis Palthis asopialis #8398 Lexington, KY, 2016-7 Hosts: oak, coralberry, bean | |
SNOUTS - Family Erebidae, Subfamily Hypeninae |
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| Baltimore Snout Hypena baltimoralis #8442 Natural Bridge | White-Lined Snout Hypena abalienalis #8445 Ohio, 2016-8 Hosts: slippery elm |
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| Deceptive Snout Hypena deceptalis #8446 Natural Bridge, 2016-7 Hosts: Basswood | Green Cloverworm Hypena scraba #8465 Lexington, KY, 2016 Hosts: strawberry, clover |
UNDERWINGS< ZALES & OWLETS - Family Erebidae, Subfamily Erebinae |
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| Common Oak Moth Phoberia atomaris #8591 Natural Bridge, 2011 Hosts: oak | Lunate Zale Zale lunata #8689 Floracliff, 2015-7 Hosts: trees and shrubs |
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| Locust Underwing Euparthenos nubils #8719 Ohio, 2016-8 Hosts: black locust | False Underwing Alllotria elonympha #8721 Floracliff, 2016-7 Hosts: black gum, hickory, walnut |
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| Maple Looper Moth Parallelia bistriaris #8727 ??, 2016-7 Hosts: maple, birch, walnut | The Betrothed Catocala innubens #8770 Floracliff, 2016-7 Hosts: honey locust |
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| Tearful Underwing Catocala lacrymosa #8794 Lexington, KY, 2016 Hosts: hickory | Clouded Underwing Catocala nebulosa #8796 Lexington, KY |
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| Ilia Underwing Catocala ilia #8801 ??, 2016 Hosts: oak | The Sweetheart Catocala amatrix #8834 Lexington, KY |
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| Magdalen Underwing Catocala ilecta #8840 Hosts: honey locust, lead plant | |
EULEPIDOTINE OWLETS - Family Erebidae, Subfamily Eulepidotinae |
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| Red-Lined Panopoda Panopoda rufimargo #8587 Floracliff, -7 Hosts: oak and beech | Brown Panapoda Panapoda carneicosta #8588 , 2016-7 Hosts: oak, willow, hickory |
LOOPERS - Family Noctuidae, Subfamily Plusiinae |
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| Pink-Patched Looper Psudeva purpurigera #8899 Natural Bridge | |
BAILEYAS & NYCTEOLAS - Family Noctuidae, Subfamilies Risobinae & Chloephorinae |
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| Small Baileya Baileya australis #8973 Natural Bridge, 2012-7 | |
GROUNDLINGS - Family Noctuidae, Subfamily Condicinae |
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| Green Leuconycta Leuconycta diphteroides #9065 ??, 2016 Hosts: goldenrod, aster | |
BIRD-DROPPING MOTH - Family Noctuidae, Subfamily Acontiinae |
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| Bird-Dropping Moth ???? Hosts: ragweed, hollyhock | |
PANTHEAS & YELLOWHORNS - Family Noctuidae, Subfamily Pantheinae |
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| Black Zigzag Panthea acronyctoides 9177 #9177 Natural Bridge, 2012-8 Hosts: pine, hemlock | |
DAGGERS - Family Noctuidae, Subfamily Acronictinae |
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| Nondescript Dagger Acronicta spinigera #9235 Lexington, KY, 2016-5 Hosts: cherry, birch, elm | Great Oak Dagger Acronicta lobeliae #9238 Floracliff, 2016-7 Hosts: oak |
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| Ovate Dagger Acronicta ovata #9243 Ohio, ????-8 Hosts: oak, beech, chestnut | Small Oak Dagger Acronicta increta #9249 Lexington, KY, 2016-5 Hosts: oak, chestnut |
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| Yellow-Haired Dagger Acronicta impleta #9257 Lexington, KY, 2016-5 Hosts: maple, ash, hickory | Green Marvel Agriopodes #9281 Natural Bridge |
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| The Hebrew Polygrammate hebraeicum #9285 Floracliff, -7 Hosts: black gum | Harris's Three-Spot Harrisimemna trisignata #9286 Ohio, 2016-8 Hosts: honeysuckle, willow, cherry |
WOOD-NYMPHS AND FORESTERS - Family Noctuidae, Subfamily Agaristinae |
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| Beautiful Wood-Nymph Eudryras Grata #9301 Natural Bridge | Eight-Spotted Forrester 93-1979 #9314 Lexington, KY |
PHOSPHILAS & ARMYWORMS - Family Noctuidae, Subfamily Noctuinae |
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| Yellow-Striped Armyworm Spodoptera ornithogali #9669 Lexington, KY, 2012-7 Hosts: low plants (a pest)? | |
SMALL ARCHES & SUMMER QUAKERS - Family Noctuidae, Subfamily Noctuinae |
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| Bristly Cutworm Lacinipolia renigera #10397 Lexington, KY, 2016-5 Hosts: alfalfa, dandelion | Laudable Arches Lacinipolia laudabilis #10411 Lexington, KY, 2016-8 Hosts: dandelion |
DARTS - Family Noctuidae, Subfamily Noctuinae |
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| Ipsilon Dart Agrotis ipsilon #10663 Lexington, KY, 2016 Hosts: low plants & crops | Green Cutworm Anicia infecta #10911 Hosts: clover, grasses |
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| Greater Black-Letter Dart Xestia dolosa #10942.1 Lexington, KY, 2016-5 Hosts: low plants & crops | Greater Red Dart Abagrotis alternata #11029 ????, 2016 Hosts: trees and low plants |
GLYPHS - Family Noctuidae, Subfamilies Bagisarinae and Eustrotiinae |
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| Black-bordered Lemon Marimatha nigrofimbria #???? Lexington, KY | |
Locations:
- Lexington, KY – moths in our backyard in Fayette County, KY
- Natural Bridge – Natural Bridge State Park, Slade, KY Powell County
- Floracliff – Nature Sanctuary in southern Fayette County, KY
- Mothapalooza – Shawnee Lodge and Conference Center, Portsmouth, OH, Adams County
Additional moth resources:
- National Moth Week – designated worldwide the last full week of July, this event encourages “moth‑ers” of all ages and abilities to learn about, observe, and document moths in their backyards, parks, and neighborhoods.
- Mothapalooza (Facebook page) – annual conference in southern Ohio celebrating the rich and stunningly beautiful world of moths.