Wisconsin’s summer evenings come alive with some of North America’s most spectacular moths. From the ethereal pale green Luna moth with its sweeping tails to the vibrant pink and yellow Rosy maple moth, you’ll discover an incredible diversity of these nocturnal beauties right in your backyard.
Whether you’re drawn to porch lights on warm nights or exploring Wisconsin’s forests and prairies, these 20 remarkable moth species showcase nature’s artistry in wings.
Understanding moth identification helps you appreciate the fascinating world of insects that share Wisconsin’s diverse ecosystems. Many of these species play crucial roles as pollinators and food sources for wildlife, making them essential components of our natural heritage.
1. Luna Moth
The Luna moth (Actias luna) stands as one of Wisconsin’s most breathtaking nocturnal visitors. These pale green giants can reach wingspans of up to 4.5 inches, with distinctive long tails trailing from their hindwings like silken streamers. Their ethereal appearance has captivated nature lovers for generations.
You’ll most likely encounter Luna moths from May through July, when adults emerge to mate. They’re particularly drawn to lights near wooded areas, where their host trees—including birch, hickory, and walnut—provide food for their caterpillars. The adult moths don’t feed at all, living only about a week to reproduce.
Pro Tip: Luna moths are most active during the first few hours after sunset. Turn off unnecessary outdoor lights to help protect these vulnerable beauties from disorientation.
2. Cecropia Moth
North America’s largest native moth, the Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), graces Wisconsin with wingspans reaching an impressive 6 inches. These rusty-red and brown giants feature distinctive white, red, and black markings that create stunning eyespots on their wings.
From late May through July, you might spot these magnificent creatures near deciduous forests where their caterpillars feed on maple, cherry, and elm trees. Like Luna moths, adults don’t eat and focus entirely on finding mates during their brief adult stage. Research shows that Cecropia populations have declined significantly due to habitat loss and introduced parasites.
3. Polyphemus Moth
Named after the one-eyed giant from Greek mythology, the Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus) displays prominent eyespots on its hindwings that startle predators. These tan and brown moths span 4-6 inches and rank among Wisconsin’s most commonly encountered silk moths.
You can find Polyphemus moths throughout Wisconsin’s growing season, with peak activity from May through August. Their caterpillars feed on over 60 different tree species, making them highly adaptable to various habitats. The large, plump caterpillars are bright green with silver spots and can grow up to 3 inches long.
These moths demonstrate remarkable adaptations for nighttime survival, using their eyespots and erratic flight patterns to confuse potential predators like bats and birds.
4. Io Moth
The Io moth (Automeris io) showcases one of nature’s most dramatic examples of sexual dimorphism in Wisconsin’s moth population. Males display bright yellow wings with distinctive purple and black eyespots, while females wear more subdued brownish-purple coloration with the same striking eyespots.
Active from April through October, Io moths produce multiple generations each year in Wisconsin’s warmer regions. Their spiny caterpillars feed on various plants including corn, roses, and willows, but handle them with extreme caution—their venomous spines deliver painful stings that can cause welts and allergic reactions.
Important Note: Never handle Io moth caterpillars with bare hands. Their defensive spines contain irritating toxins that cause immediate pain and potential allergic reactions.
5. Rosy Maple Moth
Often called the “cotton candy moth,” the Rosy maple moth (Dryocampa rubicunda) brings delightful splashes of pink and yellow to Wisconsin’s summer nights. These small, fluffy moths typically measure 1.5-2 inches across and rank among the most photogenic species you’ll encounter.
From April through September, these charming moths emerge in two generations. Their caterpillars, known as green-striped mapleworms, feed exclusively on maple and oak trees. Despite their caterpillars occasionally causing minor defoliation, these moths rarely reach pest status and add wonderful diversity to regional moth populations.
6. Hummingbird Clearwing Moth
The Hummingbird clearwing moth (Hemaris thysbe) perfectly mimics its namesake bird, hovering at flowers during daylight hours with rapid wingbeats that create an audible hum. These remarkable moths feature transparent wings bordered in reddish-brown, with olive-green and burgundy body coloration.
Unlike most moths, you’ll spot these day-flying species from May through August visiting gardens, meadows, and forest edges. They particularly favor bee balm, honeysuckle, and phlox flowers, using their long proboscis to sip nectar while maintaining their hovering position.
Clearwing Species | Wing Pattern | Body Color | Flight Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Hummingbird Clearwing | Clear with reddish borders | Olive-green with burgundy | Day flying |
Snowberry Clearwing | Clear with black borders | Black with yellow bands | Day flying |
7. Snowberry Clearwing Moth
The Snowberry clearwing moth (Hemaris diffinis) shares many characteristics with its hummingbird relative but displays distinct black and yellow coloration reminiscent of a large bumblebee. These day-flying moths feature the same transparent wings and hovering behavior that make clearwings so fascinating to observe.
Active from March through October, Snowberry clearwings often produce multiple generations in Wisconsin’s favorable climate. Their caterpillars feed on snowberry, honeysuckle, and related plants, while adults visit a wide variety of flowering plants for nectar.
8. Isabella Tiger Moth
You might recognize the Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella) better by its caterpillar stage—the famous woolly bear caterpillar that folklore claims predicts winter weather. The adult moths display modest orange-yellow wings with scattered black spots and a wingspan of about 2 inches.
These hardy moths fly from May through October, with caterpillars overwintering in their fuzzy form before pupating in spring. Agricultural extension services note that woolly bears feed on numerous plants but rarely cause significant damage to crops or gardens.
The connection between moths and other wildlife becomes evident when you observe how many species rely on these insects for sustenance throughout their life cycles.
9. Virginia Tiger Moth
The Virginia tiger moth (Spilosoma virginica) presents a study in elegant simplicity with its pure white wings marked by small black spots. These medium-sized moths typically span 1.5-2.5 inches and belong to the diverse tiger moth family known for their often striking patterns.
Flying from April through September, Virginia tiger moths produce multiple generations each year. Their caterpillars, called yellow woolly bears, feed on a remarkably diverse range of plants from vegetables to trees, making them one of Wisconsin’s most adaptable moth species.
10. Garden Tiger Moth
The Garden tiger moth (Arctia caja) ranks among Wisconsin’s most spectacular tiger moths, displaying intricate patterns of brown, white, and cream on their forewings, with bright orange hindwings marked by distinctive blue-black spots. These large moths can reach wingspans of 2.5-3 inches.
Though less common than other tiger moths, Garden tigers appear from June through August in Wisconsin’s northern regions. Their caterpillars, known as woolly bears, feed on various plants including plantain, dandelion, and nettle, often becoming quite conspicuous as they search for pupation sites.
Key Insight: Tiger moths like the Garden tiger possess ultrasonic hearing that helps them detect and evade bat echolocation calls, showcasing remarkable evolutionary adaptations.
11. White-lined Sphinx Moth
The White-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata) demonstrates incredible migratory abilities, sometimes appearing in Wisconsin in massive numbers during favorable conditions. These robust moths feature distinctive white lines across their brown forewings and pink hindwings with black borders.
Active from May through October, these strong fliers can travel hundreds of miles and often arrive in Wisconsin as part of northward migration patterns. Their caterpillars, called hornworms, feed on various plants including evening primrose, grape, and elm. Migration studies reveal these moths can fly over 1,000 miles during their lifetime.
12. Blinded Sphinx Moth
The Blinded sphinx moth (Paonias excaecatus) earns its name from the prominent eyespots on its hindwings that remain hidden until the moth is disturbed. These medium-sized sphinx moths display mottled brown and gray forewings that provide excellent camouflage against tree bark.
From May through August, you might encounter these moths resting on tree trunks during daylight hours. Their caterpillars feed primarily on cherry, willow, and poplar trees, developing the characteristic horn that gives sphinx moth caterpillars their “hornworm” nickname.
Understanding moth behavior helps you appreciate how these species interact with other Wisconsin insects in complex ecological relationships throughout the state’s diverse habitats.
13. Imperial Moth
The Imperial moth (Eacles imperialis) lives up to its regal name with impressive size and striking yellow coloration marked by purplish-brown spots and bands. These magnificent moths can reach wingspans of 4-7 inches, making them among Wisconsin’s largest moth species.
Flying from June through August, Imperial moths prefer areas with oak, maple, and pine trees where their caterpillars develop. The large, spiny caterpillars can grow up to 4 inches long and come in various color forms, from green to brown to nearly black.
14. Clymene Moth
The Clymene moth (Haploa clymene) displays a distinctive pattern that resembles a bow tie, with white wings marked by bold black lines and yellow coloration on the thorax. These medium-sized moths typically span 1.5-2 inches and belong to the tiger moth family.
Active from May through September, Clymene moths often produce two generations per year in Wisconsin’s climate. Their caterpillars feed on various plants including joe-pye weed, eupatorium, and other native wildflowers, making them important components of prairie and meadow ecosystems.
15. Banded Tussock Moth
The Banded tussock moth (Halysidota tessellaris) presents subtle beauty with its pale yellow to cream-colored wings marked by delicate darker bands and spots. These moths typically measure 1.5-2 inches across and are named for their distinctive caterpillars covered in colorful tufts of hair.
From May through August, these moths emerge to mate and lay eggs on various deciduous trees. Their caterpillars, known as banded tussock caterpillars, feed on oak, hickory, and other hardwood trees. The caterpillars’ striking appearance—yellow with black tufts and a red head—makes them easily recognizable.
Many Wisconsin residents encounter these moths around outdoor lighting, where they join other nocturnal insects attracted to artificial illumination throughout the summer months.
16. Fall Webworm Moth
The Fall webworm moth (Hyphantria cunea) appears deceptively simple with its white wings that may show small black spots depending on the individual. These moths span about 1-1.5 inches and are better known for their caterpillars’ conspicuous silk webs on tree branches.
Flying from May through August, Fall webworm moths can produce multiple generations each year. While their caterpillars create unsightly webs on trees, they rarely cause serious damage since they typically feed late in the growing season when trees can tolerate defoliation better.
Common Mistake: Don’t confuse fall webworm nests with tent caterpillar nests. Fall webworms build webs at branch tips and include leaves inside, while tent caterpillars create webs in branch forks without leaves.
17. Gypsy Moth
The Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar dispar) represents one of Wisconsin’s most significant invasive species concerns. Males display brown wings with darker markings and feathery antennae, while larger females show white wings with black markings and cannot fly.
These moths emerge from June through August, with timing varying by location and weather conditions. Wisconsin DNR monitoring programs track gypsy moth populations closely since their caterpillars can cause severe defoliation of hardwood forests, particularly oak trees.
Understanding invasive species helps contextualize the importance of protecting native moth populations and their role in Wisconsin’s ecosystems alongside other regional conservation efforts.
18. Small-eyed Sphinx Moth
The Small-eyed sphinx moth (Paonias myops) closely resembles its Blinded sphinx relative but features smaller, less prominent eyespots on its hindwings. These moths display similar brown and gray mottled patterns that provide excellent camouflage when resting on tree bark.
Active from May through July, Small-eyed sphinx moths prefer areas with wild cherry and other stone fruit trees where their caterpillars develop. The adult moths are strong fliers and may be attracted to lights on warm summer evenings, though they’re generally less commonly encountered than other sphinx moths.
19. Large Yellow Underwing
The Large yellow underwing (Noctua pronuba) demonstrates the remarkable adaptability that has made it successful across multiple continents. These moths display mottled brown forewings that hide bright yellow hindwings with distinctive black bands—a classic “flash coloration” defense mechanism.
Originally from Europe, Large yellow underwings have established populations throughout Wisconsin and fly from June through October. Their caterpillars feed on various grasses and low-growing plants, sometimes becoming numerous enough to damage lawns and agricultural crops.
20. Yellow-collared Scape Moth
The Yellow-collared scape moth (Cisseps fulvicollis) brings a touch of elegance with its dark metallic blue-black wings and distinctive yellow collar marking. These small moths typically span only about 1 inch but make up for their size with striking coloration.
Flying from June through September, these moths are often active during daylight hours, particularly in late afternoon. Their caterpillars feed on various plants including lichens, grasses, and decaying organic matter, making them important decomposers in Wisconsin’s ecosystems. You might spot adults visiting flowers for nectar or find them resting on vegetation in meadows and forest edges.
These diverse moth species showcase Wisconsin’s incredible biodiversity and highlight the importance of protecting natural habitats that support both common and rare species.
Whether you’re exploring Wisconsin’s wetland wildlife or simply enjoying your backyard, taking time to observe and appreciate these nocturnal beauties enriches your connection with the natural world.
Pro Tip: Create a moth-friendly garden by planting native flowering plants like bee balm, phlox, and evening primrose. Reduce outdoor lighting or use yellow bulbs to minimize disruption to moth navigation while still allowing observation opportunities.
From the majestic Luna moth’s ethereal beauty to the industrious Fall webworm’s ecological role, Wisconsin’s moths demonstrate nature’s incredible diversity and adaptation.
Each species contributes uniquely to the state’s ecological web, serving as pollinators, food sources, and indicators of environmental health.
By learning to identify and appreciate these remarkable creatures, you join a community of naturalists working to understand and protect Wisconsin’s rich natural heritage for future generations.
