Oklahoma is home to thousands of species of insects, including various moths. But what are the types of moths in Oklahoma?
Moths are abundant in Oklahoma. They belong to the Lepidoptera order and are related to butterflies.
Depending on their species and life cycle stage, moths can be found in various habitats.
Mothes come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, all unique to each species in the United States.
Here, we will explore some of the more common types of moths in Oklahoma state, providing information about where they reside and their key features.
1. Button Slug Moth
The Abbreviated Button Slug Moth, also known as Tortricidia flexuosa, is starting our blog list of types of moths in Oklahoma. It is a species of moth found in Oklahoma.
This type of moth is the most numerous species in the state and can be found in wooded, open, or disturbed areas.
It has a 3/4-inch to 2-inch wingspan, and the moths vary greatly in color from grayish-brown to yellow-orange.
They are distinguished by their unique ‘button’ shaped heads and long slender bodies.
They are generally active during late spring and summer, with adults sometimes seen flying during the day.
In addition, larvae feed on various woody trees, including oak, maple, hickory, elm, walnut, and hackberry, throughout their range and prefer to stay near the ground, especially for sheltering during winter months when the branches on these types of trees are covered by snow.
Adult Abbreviated Button Slug Moths, one of the types of moths in Oklahoma, emerge from winter dormancy between mid-May and mid-July, depending upon the particular location and season. This makes them an easily observed yet still quite mysterious moth species within Oklahoma’s diverse insect wildlife population.
2. Ambiguous Moth
Ambiguous moths (Lascoria ambigualis) are also on our list of types of moths in Oklahoma. It can be found in Oklahoma.
This species is a part of the family Noctuiidae and was first identified by Frances Hodges in 1907.
The adult Ambiguous moth has a wingspan of 1 – 1½ inches and typically has brown coloration with white or yellowish-white markings on its forewings and dark veins. Its hind wings are usually pale grey or white.
This species’ larvae can be seen from March through late May. They feed on plants such as grasses and vetches before pupating into adults.
The larvae have been known to feed on both live and dead plant material, and they often appear in large numbers at night when they come out to feed.
Because these types of moths in Oklahoma tend to fly near bright lights, they can sometimes be mistaken for other moths commonly encountered in the area, such as luna moths or gypsy moths, due to their similar colorations and sizes.
The eggs that make up this species’ life cycle are white, round capsules with tiny projections on the surface. These projections allow the eggs to cling to surfaces like trees and shrubs, where they will remain until hatching into a larval stage.
Knowing what kind of habitat their larvae prefer will allow one to look for potential food sources for them, increasing one’s chances of seeing these delicate species.
3. Waxed Sphinx Moth
The Waved Sphinx Moth (Ceratomia undulosa) is an attractive moth species in Oklahoma.
This moth has distinct mottled pale green wings with wavy dark green and yellow streaks, giving it its name.
In addition to its striking coloring, this species has a broad wingspan measuring up to 124 mm across and a body length reaching 40 mm.
These types of moths in Oklahoma are most active during the summer, typically between June and September.
Adult Waved Sphinx moths feed on flower nectar, while their caterpillar stage feeds on trees and shrubs such as birch and willow.
They are major pests to softwood farms because they consume large quantities of foliage, leading to greater damage than other types of insects or mammals.
To cope with population growth, female moths will lay as many as 400 eggs on the ground or tree bark near larval food sources like leaves or saplings, hatching into larvae two weeks later.
The larvae feed voraciously while spin webbing across branches before pupating in leaf litter during the fall months; adults emerge from pupae the following spring season.
4. Evergreen Bagworm Moth
The Evergreen Bagworm Moth is a moth found in Oklahoma and other areas throughout the eastern United States.
It is characterized by its cylindrical body shape, dull brownish-gray coloring, and silken webs on its wings.
In Oklahoma, these types of moths prefer to live in evergreen shrubs and trees, such as cedar, juniper, and pine.
It typically appears in late summer or early autumn when it lays an egg case on the leaves of evergreen shrubbery.
The adult moth is approximately 0.5 inches long, and its larvae feed on the foliage of those same plants.
The eggs laid by the Evergreen Bagworm Moth form part of a webbed cocoon known as a bagworm case that can measure up to 2 inches long when fully formed.
Hundreds of eggs inside this cocoon will hatch into larvae by late fall or early winter as temperatures cool again.
The larvae emerge from their cocoons searching for food, which they find in nearby evergreen trees or shrubs, most commonly junipers or cedars.
If left untreated, they can completely defoliate branches of these plants over time.
Control methods experts recommend manually removing cases during cooler months and insecticide treatments once the adults become active again in late summer or early autumn before they can reproduce and lay eggs again.
5. Faint -Spotted Angle Moth
The Faint-spotted Angle Moth (Digrammia ocellinata) is a small, often nocturnal moth found in many states, including Oklahoma.
The types of moths in Oklahoma typically range from 0.3 to 0.4 inches long, with grayish wings characterized by faint dark spots or streaks.
Its head and thorax are also moderately brownish-gray, and its abdomen is pale yellow or white on its wings‘ undersides and lower sides.
The Faint-spotted Angle Moth can be found throughout much of Oklahoma during summer.
It feeds primarily on the nectar of flowers such as aster, daisy, hawkweed, and other members of the Asteraceae family.
During cooler spring, they often hide within bark crevices, remaining inactive until warmer temperatures arrive again during late spring/early summer.
As a Larva or caterpillar, it feeds on woody plants such as raspberry bushes and apple trees before fully maturing into an adult moth by August/September each year.
6. Gold Moth
The Gold Moth (Basilodes pepita) is a stunning species of moth found mainly in the US state of Oklahoma.
This beautiful moth has a glossy golden-brown body with black patches on its wings and distinct white stripes running down its abdomen.
It typically grows to around three centimeters in length and can be seen from spring to late summer months.
The Gold Moth is known for its love of nectar flowers, particularly those in sunny areas such as roadsides and fields.
They are active during the day when they search for nectar sources and feed on other organisms, including aphids, beetles, caterpillars, spiders, and various flower buds.
A female Gold Moth lays her eggs near clusters of aphids that she finds on the stems or leaves of plants; her larvae will then feed upon the aphids when they hatch out.
While these types of moths in Oklahoma do not pose any real threat to humans, their caterpillars can harm some crops, like fruit trees, so farmers should be monitored carefully if present in an area.
7. Grape leaf Skeletonizer Moth
The Grape leaf Skeletonizer Moth (Harrisina americana) is a species of moth found in Oklahoma and other parts of the southern United States. It commonly feeds on grape leaves, making it a key pest for vineyards.
Adult types of moths in Oklahoma have brown forewings with three parallel white lines and yellow hindwings.
In contrast, their larvae are bright yellow to orange with black stripes and spines that assist in defensive behavior.
In Oklahoma, the Grapeleaf Skeletonizer Moth has three main flight peaks throughout the growing season: one in mid-May, another in mid-July, and a final peak around late September or early October.
This timing is critical for farmers as it coincides with the production timeline for grapes.
If these types of moths in Oklahoma are unchecked, they can quickly decimate vineyards due to the voracious appetite of larvae, which can strip a grape leaf clean within hours of hatching from its egg sack.
To prevent this damage, growers often implement strategies such as insecticides or integrated pest management programs to suppress moth populations throughout their crops during key months of production.
8. Hag Moth
The Hag Moth (Phobetron pithecium) is a moth found in Oklahoma. It belongs to the family Notodontidae, which contains 160 species worldwide.
The hag moth is striking, black and white, with vivid yellow markings on its wings.
In addition to its unique coloration, the hag moth’s hindwings have two large “clubs” connected by either a line or a web-like pattern.
These types of moths in Oklahoma have several distinct morphological features that make them stand out from other moths in Oklahoma State, such as their wide head, brown body, and bright yellow marks on their wings.
In Oklahoma state, the hag moth can be found in deciduous forests and woodlands.
Still, they occasionally venture into agricultural areas as adults feed on nectar from flowers such as maple and dandelion blossoms.
Its larvae feed primarily on oak foliage; however, given their relatively small size, they do not commonly cause significant damage to the trees.
The hag moth is nocturnal and comes out mostly at night, when it is cooler outside, to avoid predators during the day.
While there isn’t necessarily anything remarkable about this species for scientific study, its unique appearance makes it an interesting subject for amateur entomologists fancying a visit outdoors!
9. Lesser Maple Spanworm Moth
The Lesser Maple Spanworm Moth (Speranza pustularia) is next on our list of types of moths in Oklahoma. It is an attractive nocturnal moth found in Oklahoma.
This type of moth has mottled brown and gray wings with a wingspan of about 1 inch.
The base color is grayish-brown, with darker brown and white mottling towards the tips of the wings.
The Lesser Maple Spanworm Moth’s antennae are thread-like, short, and barely visible unless closely examined.
These moths in Oklahoma are particularly active during July and August, when they can be seen fluttering around lights at night as they look for mates or food sources.
The larvae of this species primarily feed on leaves from trees in the genus Acer, such as maples and box elders.
They may also feed on oaks, willows, birch trees, poplars, hazel, apple and other fruit trees, grape vines, and other plants.
As with many lepidopterans, they also have host plant preferences that they have evolved to use.
Different populations may also prefer different plants across their range depending on what is available locally.
As larvae, these types of moths in Oklahoma often appear velvety black with yellow heads. They are either hung together in clusters when resting or crawl along leaves looking for food sources or hiding places from potential predators.
10. Moon Seeds Moth
Plusiodonta Compressipalpis, commonly known as the moonseed moth, is native to Oklahoma.
Its wingspan ranges from 24 to 36 millimeters. It usually has a white body with reticulated patterns of black, brown, and yellow markings on the wings.
The antennae of these types of moths in Oklahoma also have a distinctive pattern resembling that of a crescent moon. In addition, males tend to be smaller than females.
The moonseed moths are active during the warm weather months in Oklahoma, typically from late April to mid-October, corresponding with their larvae’s activity period.
As part of their diet preference, these moths feed mainly on the pollen from hackberry trees and often group together around particular flowers for sustenance.
Overwintering phases are typical for these nocturnal creatures, where they lay eggs near tree trunks or nests made by birds.
Adult specimens are attracted to lights and can often be found resting against windowsills or porch lightbulbs after dusk in urban areas such as Oklahoma City.
11. White-Lined Sphinx Moth
The white-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata) is an insect native to Oklahoma.
These long-bodied moths in Oklahoma have uniquely patterned wings—streaks of black and yellow stripes on their forewings—and can reach up to 4 inches long, with a wingspan of about 4.5 to 5.5 inches.
The species is largely nocturnal, coming out at night for food and mating opportunities; they are most active from May to September when the weather is warm enough for them to be active.
White-lined sphinx moths eat many different types of fruits and flowers, sucking up the sugary nectar through straw-like mouthparts known as proboscis.
They especially love honeysuckle and petunia flowers, where pollen and nectar provide them with the valuable nourishment they need during their short lifespan, sometimes living no more than two weeks.
In the larval stage (caterpillar), the white-lined sphinx feeds voraciously on foliage such as lilac, honeysuckle, morning glory, tomato plants, and more.
Due to this diet requirement, these moths can often be seen around gardens or areas where these plants thrive; hence, they are quite common in Oklahoma landscapes.
12. Yellow -Vested Moth
The Yellow-vested Moth (Rectiostoma xanthobasis) is a moth species in Oklahoma.
It is a large, brightly colored moth with bold yellow and orange stripes that run along the length of its wings.
Its white body contrasts sharply with its bright yellow and orange wings, making it stand out from other species of moths in Oklahoma.
Five black spots dotted along the tip of the forewing give it an even more distinct appearance in flight.
The adult types of moths in Oklahoma are usually seen between May and August but can sometimes be spotted year-round, depending on the weather conditions.
They mostly feed on flower nectar and fruit, making them important pollinators for various plants and flowers around Oklahoma.
They are common throughout the eastern parts of Oklahoma but are rarely seen farther west due to their preference for warm air temperatures and higher humidity levels.
Their caterpillars feed on several different types of vegetation, including beans, peas, potatoes, and some grasses.
13. Hag Moth
The Hag Moth (Phobetron pithecium) is a moth found in Oklahoma. It belongs to the family Notodontidae, which contains 160 species worldwide.
The hag moth is striking, black and white, with vivid yellow markings on its wings.
In addition to its unique coloration, the hag moth’s hindwings have two large “clubs” connected by either a line or a web-like pattern.
This species has several distinct morphological features that distinguish it from other moths in Oklahoma State, such as its wide head, brown body, and bright yellow marks on its wings.
In Oklahoma state, the hag moth can be found in deciduous forests and woodlands. Still, they occasionally venture into agricultural areas as adults feed on nectar from flowers such as maple and dandelion blossoms.
Its larvae feed primarily on oak foliage; however, given their relatively small size, they do not commonly cause significant damage to the trees.
The hag moth is nocturnal and comes out mostly at night, when it is cooler outside, to avoid predators during the day.
While there isn’t necessarily anything remarkable about this species for scientific study, its unique appearance makes it an interesting subject for amateur entomologists fancying a visit outdoors!
14. American Ermine Moth
The American Ermine Moth (Yponomeuta multipunctella) is a moth species found in Oklahoma and other states throughout the United States.
It has a wingspan of approximately 12-19 mm and is white to cream in color with pinkish-brown and yellow spots and stripes near the edges.
These types of moths in Oklahoma emerge from their cocoons in mid-spring and will feed mainly on fruit trees such as pear, hawthorn, cherry, plum, and apple trees, although they may also feed on other plants such as elm, privet, and rose.
This species is found primarily along the east coast of the nightshade, where large populations build webs in tree crotches or cluster in leafy patches at ground level between stones.
In Oklahoma, they are found primarily during April and early May, flying around hedgerows or amongst tall grasses wherever adequate hostplant food is available.
Some remedies for ermine moth damage include using insecticides to target their larvae if the infestation is thick enough or removing the webs when possible, depending on habitat type.
Pruning infested branches may also help reduce damage without significantly removing healthy plant tissue.
Certain natural predators, including wasps and birds, have been found to reduce ermine moth populations, so encouraging these can be beneficial over the long term.
15. American Lappet Moth
The American lappet moth is also on our list of types of moths in Oklahoma.
It is an endemic species of the Oklahoman fauna and is characterized by a dark brown body with white patterns on its wings.
It is widely distributed in Oklahoma, ranging from the western to the eastern and central parts of the state.
They are typically found on flowers, trees, and shrubs as they feed on sap and nectar.
The caterpillar stage of the American lappet moth can be identified through its white or peach-colored bands with black patches at the end of each segment.
They usually live between June and August but can be seen later, depending on where they were laid.
American lappet moths typically fly during dusk or dawn when it is cooler outside. This is why they are sometimes referred to as “dusk hawks” in Oklahoma. They prefer harsher weather environments, unlike other butterfly species, which tend to prefer more temperate climates.
The caterpillars of these types of moths in Oklahoma form nests with their silk threads.
They use hairs from their bodies to build an almost impenetrable cocoon around themselves before becoming adults.
These moths in Oklahoma mate during summer, and females deposit their eggs under leaves so that larvae are close to food sources such as plants.
Because these eggs need nutrients for development, females return multiple times throughout the season for additional deposits, ensuring the survival of their young ones until adulthood.
16. Angulose Prominent Moth
The Angulose Prominent Moth (Peridea angulosa) is a moth native to Oklahoma and other Midwestern states.
This species is one of the largest moths found in Oklahoma and is generally brown in color, with a few lighter patches near its head and lower wings.
These types of moths in Oklahoma have angular forewings atop their bodies, giving them their name of Angulose Prominent Moth.
When disturbed or threatened, these types of moths in Oklahoma will spread out their wings, revealing reddish and white markings along the edges of their wings that may be used to scare away potential predators.
The Angulose Prominent Moths are usually found at night during warm summer months, as they prefer mild temperatures for mating and laying eggs.
During this time period, they can commonly be seen flying around lights or resting on plants as they hunt for food sources.
These types of moths in Oklahoma typically feed on leaves but also feed on flowers and sap from trees.
After mating, the female Angulose lays her eggs which hatch into larvae within weeks; these larvae eventually turn into adult moths before beginning the cycle again.
While these moths are primarily considered harmless to humans, caution should still be taken due to their size and penchant for gathering around lights at night.
17. Barberry Geometer Moth
The Barberry Geometer Moth (Coryphista meadii) is a moth found in Oklahoma and other southern United States.
These moths in Oklahoma have distinctive reddish-brown and white wings, which give them their name due to the barberry bush pattern on their wings.
The Barberry Geometer Moth is a small species, with adults typically only reaching about 1 inch long.
They prefer to feed on flowers like aster, daisy, and dandelion when they’re not resting and on leaves of apple bushes later in the season.
At night, these moths in Oklahoma usually rest on nearby plants or protected spots, such as under leaves and shrubs.
During daylight hours, they can often skim along low foliage, looking for food sources, or attracting mates during lively courtship displays that involve flipping up their hindwings.
Like many species of moths, they go through four stages: egg, caterpillar/larva, pupa/chrysalis, and adult imathagus).
Because of its wide geographic range from Oklahoma to Georgia and its abundance of lights at night, it is considered one of the most commonly encountered geometer moths across this part of America.
18. Bent-Line Carpet Moth
The Bent-line Carpet Moth (Costaconvexa centrostrigaria) is a moth belonging to the family Geometridae.
This species is widely distributed in western North America, with records of west Canada south through Oklahoma to northern Mexico.
As its common name suggests, this moth has a distinctive bent line running down its wings, hence its classification as a bent-line carpet moth.
The Bent-Line Carpet Moth prefers dry woodlands and open brushy areas when it is active during the summer months in late June or July.
The Bent-line Carpet, one of the moths in Oklahoma, is usually gray or light brown and has an average wingspan of one to two inches long when fully extended.
They possess distinct “eye” spots on their hind wings and are also identifiable by the curved line on their forewings, aiding them in camouflage while resting on bark, twigs, and fence posts.
Although these types of moths in Oklahoma lack mouth parts, they can disperse pheromones that can attract potential mates up to several miles away.
19. Biden Borer Moth
The Biden’s Borer Moth (Epiblema Otiosana) is the next moth on our list of Oklahoman species.
This species is widely distributed throughout the state but is most commonly found in open areas and grassland habitats.
As its name suggests, it has a long, slender body that resembles a borer, with dark brown and orange patterns across the wings of this species.
These moths in Oklahoma have relatively small wingspans, reaching up to 5 cm long when fully grown.
The Biden’s Borer Moth is a member of the family Gelechiidae – one of the largest superfamilies of moths, including several hundred species.
It feeds primarily on oak tree leaves and other vegetation, including honeysuckle and lilac.
The larvae feed on leaf tissue from their host plants, and if left unchecked, they can damage infested trees or bushes.
The adult female types of moths in Oklahoma typically lay eggs on the underside of foliage between late April and early June, and the eggs hatch within five days of being laid.
These types of moths in Oklahoma are considered economically significant as they can damage large acreages of plants consumed by humans, such as corn and soybeans if dense populations exist near these crops.
20. Cecropia Silk Moth
The Cecropia Silk Moth (Hyalophora cecropia) is a vibrant species of moth found in Oklahoma.
It is the largest moth species in North America, and its wingspan can reach up to nearly six inches across.
They are native to Oklahoma but are also found throughout the eastern part of the United States.
The Cecropia Moth has striking reddish-orange and black markings with white accents that stand out on its large wings.
Cecropia Silk Moths live for about two weeks as adults and spend much of this reproducing.
Females lay hundreds of eggs on tree leaves, which soon hatch into larvae that feed off the leaves voraciously before entering a state of pupation for several months until adulthood.
Adult moths in Oklahoma usually emerge from the chrysalis from late May to mid-July each year. They quickly seek out mates and reproduce until winter sets in again.
These spectacular moths in Oklahoma play an important role in maintaining local ecosystems by pollinating flowers and providing food for predators like bats.
21. Celery Leaftier Moth
The Celery Leaftier Moth (Udea rubigalis) is a moth species in Oklahoma.
The leafier moth has a narrow, oval-shaped wingspan between 6-9mm, varying in color, ranging from yellow to pinkish or brown.
This species’ hindwing is darker in color than the forewing, and dark markings along the edge of its wings help it camouflage when it rests on foliage.
Celery Leaftier Moths are mostly active during mid-summer and feed on various plants, including celery, carrots, and cabbage.
They use their long thread-like mouths to pierce into leaves and feed on plant sap, leaving behind transparent holes and strips of missing foliage.
Although these types of moths in Oklahoma do not cause substantial damage to plants, farmers should monitor levels and take preventative actions as necessary because large influxes can lead to crop losses.
Thus, it is important for Oklahoma residents who grow vegetables to regularly inspect their crops for signs of this type of moth infestation so that damage can be prevented.
22. Clover Hayworm Moth
The Clover Hayworm Moth (Hypsopygia costalis) is also one of the types of moths in Oklahoma.
It belongs to the family Crambidae and has an impressive wingspan ranging from 3/5 to 4/5 of an inch wide.
Additionally, its body is yellow-gray with gray veins on its forewings, while a wide white band with black spots near the lower portion characterizes the hindwings.
This moth species typically feeds on legumes such as clover, alfalfa, and soybeans.
Regarding its behavioral characteristics, this moth species is mainly active during night hours when temperatures remain low.
As such, agricultural workers and farmers must take extra precautions when trying to control or manage them within their crops, as they may be more difficult to detect due to their nocturnal habits.
Additionally, these moths in Oklahoma can migrate from certain areas to other regions for food.
Hence, appropriate preventive measures must be taken ahead of time so that farmers can protect their crops from potential harm or damage caused by these pests.
23. Common Lytrosis Moth
The Common Lytrosis Moth (Lytrosis unitaria) is a moth species found in Oklahoma.
This type of moth is generally small, with an average wingspan of about half an inch.
They are usually white or yellow and have very characteristic black markings along the wing margins and other body parts.
These types of moths in Oklahoma also have a low-level flight pattern, which allows them to come close to the ground without being easily spotted.
Common Lytrosis Moths are pollinators like most other butterfly and moth species.
They feed on nectar from flowers, helping to spread pollen and ensure that the plants receive adequate pollination for successful reproduction.
This species’ caterpillars feed on various grasses, herbs, and shrubs found locally in Oklahoma, making it an important member of the local food chain.
Therefore, these types of moths in Oklahoma play an important role in keeping local ecosystems healthy and balanced.
They provide nutrition to wildlife through their larvae and the pollination services they provide as adults.
24. Corn Earworm Moth
The Corn Earworm Moth (Helicoverpa zea) is a species of moth found in Oklahoma and much of the central United States.
This type of moth is best known for its destructive impact on various crops due to its voracious appetite.
In particular, they are known to lay their eggs inside the husks of corn leaves and feed on the young kernels once they hatch, leading to decreased yields and lower-quality produce.
These moths in Oklahoma also attack other plants, such as those belonging to the Ricinus and Abelmoschus genera.
Their reddish-brown coloration can identify them with tan patches on each wingtip, yellowish underside, and dark head.
These types of moths in Oklahoma have four stages in their life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
The egg stage lasts three to five days before hatching into small worm-like larvae that feed for weeks until reaching full maturity at up to 1 ½ inches long, depending on the species.
They then pupate underground or within a silk cocoon near their food source before emerging as adult moths after two to four weeks, depending on temperature or humidity.
Corn Earworm Moths primarily mate during the late afternoon hours when they are most active while slowly moving around nearby plants.
Adults live between two and six weeks, so they continue looking for food sources to ensure reproductive success within their population.
25. Dart Moth
The Dart Moth (Agnorisma bolii) is a moth found in Oklahoma.
This moth species is known to have a yellowish-brown form with darker markings, typically around 1.2 to 1.7 cm in length.
Native only to the North American continent, the Dart Moth can be identified by its broad upper wings, angular edges, and grayish-brown hindwings, often hidden beneath its forewings when resting.
As the moth matures, it shows beautiful blue hues at the coastal front and sometimes faint metallic green markings on its body.
The Dart Moth can be seen throughout Oklahoma but tends to favor isolated wooded habitats. It often feeds on flowers during late spring or summer evenings when temperatures are moderate to fuel its long migrations.
It also displays some unique traits particular to this species, such as gathering in large numbers near open lamps that attract moths from far distances or resting close together under evergreen branches or roosting sites.
Despite having some clear habits, the Dart Moth undergoes distinct seasonal shifts in activity levels at higher latitudes due to shortening day lengths and colder temperatures during winter.
Although harmless to humans, this nocturnal behavior may lead them into contact with humans more frequently than other types of moths in Oklahoma due to their habit of seeking warmth around artificial lights.
26. Arcigera Flower Moth
The Arcigera Flower Moth, also known as Schinia Arcigera, is a type of moth found primarily in Oklahoma.
These moths are small and delicate, with wingspans of about 1” – 2.5” in Oklahoma.
They are best known for their distinct yellow forewings, which feature black or brown lines along the edges and between veins.
The hindwings are pale yellow or whitish and have no patterning at all.
The bodies of these types of moths in Oklahoma vary from light to dark brown depending on their age, diet, and habitat; some specimens have even been observed with a pink hue.
In Oklahoma, the Arcigera Flower Moth is most commonly found in western forests and grasslands in late summer or early autumn.
This species is attracted to bright lights at night, so you may find them hovering around lights set up along hiking trails or lights installed at home gardens or other outdoor spaces.
During the day, they hide among foliage and flowers, looking for potential mates during the breeding season. These moths tend to live fairly solitary lives outside of mating times for most of the year.
Once they find a mate, however, they will stay together until either dies from natural causes such as predation or old age.
27. Army Cutworm Moth
The Army Cutworm Moth (Euxoa auxiliaris) is a species of moth found commonly in Oklahoma.
These moths belong to the family Noctuidae, which includes more than two hundred moth species in North America.
The adult Army Cutworm Moth has gray forewings marked with dark brown lines extending from the bottom corner and several wavy crossbands approximately 1/3rd up from the lower edge.
The hind wings are white and unmarked except for a thin yellowish edge near the inner margin, with some transverse dark patches in some specimens.
The larvae of these moths in Oklahoma feed on grasses, grains, and other small crops, such as clovers, legumes, and other weeds.
They have been known to cause serious damage to agricultural fields, especially winter wheat fields, causing considerable losses to farmers annually.
Army Cutworm Moths travel in relatively mild winters from southern states, including Mexico.
They can become an infrequent agricultural pest in Oklahoma and surrounding areas during the spring planting period.
Control methods include sampling soil around potential problem areas before planting to reduce the risk of crop loss, monitoring adult populations, or using chemical pesticides after successful identification.
28. Dimorphic Tosale Moth
The Dimorphic Tosale Moth (Tosale ) is a species of moth found in Oklahoma and many other states throughout the U.S.
It prefers warm, dry climates and habitats around rock formations and deeper canyons.
Its wingspan measures about an inch across, with pale yellow, white, and light gray markings on its forewings.
The back of its body is covered in short hair-like scales, and its thorax is thickened, giving it a more stocky appearance than other moth species.
The Dimorphic Tosale Moth feeds primarily off nectar from flowers like goldenrod, aster, fleabane, sunflowers, coreopsis, alfalfa, and clover, with each female laying up to 20 eggs simultaneously.
After hatching, larvae feed on leaves or stems where available but, in most cases, move to nearby trunks or shrubs as they mature before pupating and becoming adults.
Nocturnal insects often remain hidden during the day while actively feeding at night when temperatures are cooler, and they are more likely to find food sources.
Due to these environmental conditions, the Dimorphic Tosale Moth is less likely to be found together in large masses.
However, populations in certain areas can reach high numbers, particularly during warmer months when they become active again after overwintering.
29. Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth
The Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth (Malacosoma americanum) is a moth commonly found in Oklahoma.
This moth species has a black, fuzzy body with yellow, cream-colored stripes running along the back and sides.
The adult moth grows around 3 inches in width and can reach a length of 2 to 4 inches, depending on the species.
These types of moths in Oklahoma female will lay their eggs on twigs and branches of trees near urban centers, hatching them into small larvae with crosswise lines along their back after about two weeks.
The larvae feed for several weeks before adulthood, forming very visible tent-like structures out of webs at branch tips to protect themselves from predators.
These moths in Oklahoma feed mostly on fruit tree leaves and some ornamentals, making them a serious problem in residential areas if not handled properly. They can quickly devour a lot of vegetation.
During their lifetime, they go through five stages—egg, larva/moth, pupae/cocoon, and adult moth—each lasting four to nine months.
They are found mostly in eastern parts of North America, including Canada.
Still, they have since spread to other parts of the continent due to liberal migration laws and major cities’ proximity to multiple countries, which contribute to their population growth.
30. Bagworm Moth
The Bagworm Moth (Various spp.) is interestingly found throughout Oklahoma.
These types of moths in Oklahoma have a fascinating life cycle that can last several months, depending on the species.
The eggs are typically laid in May and will hatch in early June. The larvae spin their silken bags to feed and grow through late summer and into the fall.
The adult moths emerge from their bags soon after and will overwinter before laying new eggs the following spring.
These types of moths in Oklahoma can be recognized by their distinctive ‘bags’ or cocoons, which they make using silk, bits of leaves, twigs, or other plant material.
The larvae also appear resilient, surviving very cold and hot temperatures during different periods of their life cycle.
Adults fly slowly around lighting sources, searching for mates at night, and can sometimes be seen resting on walls or tree trunks during the day.
They are generally not considered a large pest, though they may cause minor damage to foliage if left unchecked.
Bagworms represent an interesting part of Oklahoma’s unique moth population, providing ample opportunity for study for both professional entomologists and amateur hobbyists.
31. Banded Woollbear Caterpillar
The Banded Woollybear Caterpillar (Pyrrharctia isabella) is the last of many types of moths in Oklahoma. This fascinating creature belongs to the Arctiinae moth family.
Although its scientific name may sound daunting, the Banded Woollybear Caterpillar—also known as the Isabella Tiger Moth—is a great example of Mother Nature’s beauty and creativity.
Its characteristic yellow and brown stripes can be identified, resembling a small bear or tiger cub’s coat!
These types of moths are typically seen in Oklahoma from spring to fall in areas with plenty of grasses and low-lying plants.
Banded Woolly Bear Caterpillars feed on wild plants, including nettles, dock leaves, and yarrow.
They are fond of sheep sorrel, which can often be used as an indicator plant to spot this species in your garden or local park.
Once they reach adulthood, they become a stunning Creamy Tan Moth that retains their distinctive striped pattern.
Adult moths in Oklahoma are usually found near lights at night, sometimes joining other nocturnal insects such as moths and beetles attracted by bright lamps or streetlights!
