Moths in Illinois
The state of Illinois has about 1,850 moth species, with the documented ones mostly belonging to the Saturniidae, Erebidae, and Noctuidae families. Some of the beautiful silk moths seen here include the Io moth standing out due to its prominent eyespot, occupying woodlands in late May. Then, there is the yellowish-brown Polyphemus moth and the green luna moth dwelling in forests and woodlands.
The Gypsy moth also found here has been constant trouble for over 20 years, with the IDOA (Illinois Department of Agriculture) constantly monitoring its numbers to control its infestation.
Large Moths: Cecropia Moth, Polyphemus Moth, White-lined Sphinx Moth
Common Moths: Cecropia Moth, Gypsy Moth, Hummingbird Clearwing Moth
Saturniidae Moths
- Io Moth (Automeris io)
- Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus)
- Luna Moth (Actias luna)
- Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia)
- Tuliptree Silkmoth (Callosamia angulifera)
- Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis)
- Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas)
- African Moon Moth (Argema mimosa)
- Cabbage Tree Emperor Moth (Bunaea alcinoe)
- Rothschild’s Silk Moth (Rothschildia erycina)
Hawk Moths
- Snowberry Clearwing Moth (Hemaris diffinis)
- Hummingbird Clearwing Moth (Hemaris thysbe)
- Twin-spotted Sphinx Moth (Smerinthus jamaicensis)
- Pandora Sphinx Moth (Eumorpha pandorus)
- White-lined Sphinx Moth (Hyles lineate)
- Small-eyed Sphinx Moth (Paonias myops)
Tropical Ermine Moths
Owlet Moths
- Leadplant Flower Moth (Schinia lucens)
- Eight-spotted Forester Moth (Alypia octomaculata)
- Connected Looper Moth (Plusia contexta)
- Small Bird-dropping Moth (Ponometia erastrioides)
- Large Yellow Underwing Moth (Noctua pronuba)
- False Wainscot Moth (Leucania pseudargyria)
- Beautiful Wood-nymph Moth (Eudryas grata)
Erebidae Moths
- Yellow-collared Scape Moth (Cisseps fulvicollis)
- Giant Leopard Moth (Hypercompe scribonia)
- Leconte’s Haploa (Haploa lecontei)
- Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar)
- Virginia Ctenucha Moth (Ctenucha virginica)
- Milkweed Tussock Moth (Euchaetes egle)
- Isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrharctia Isabella)
Geometer Moths
- Straight-lined Plagodis Moth (Plagodis phlogosaria)
Lappet Moths
- Large Tolype Moth (Tolype velleda)
