Moths in Maryland

Be it the giant cercropia or promethea silkmoths, or the spotted leopard moth, Maryland has it all. The pretty luna moth distinguished by its green body and flowing tail was a regular visitor here. However, its numbers saw a decline after a parasitic fly was introduced to combat the gypsy moth. Other invasive species besides the gypsy moth known to be a menace to the state include the Indian meal moth and common clothes moth.

Large Moths: Cecropia Moth, Promethea Silkmoth, Giant Leopard Moth

Here is the list of moths found in Maryland arranged in order of the family they belong.

Saturniidae Moths

• Io Moth (Automeris io)
• Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia)
• Promethea Silkmoth (Callosamia promethea)
• Luna Moth (Actias luna)

Hawk Moths

• Hummingbird Clearwing Moth (Hemaris thysbe)
• Catalpa Sphinx Moth (Ceratomia catalpa)

Erebidae Moths

• Giant Leopard Moth (Hypercompe scribonia)
• Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophocampa caryae)
• Salt Marsh Moth (Estigmene acrea)
• Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar)

Tropical Ermine Moths

• Ailanthus Webworm Moth (Atteva aurea)

Snout Moths

• Indianmeal Moth (Plodia interpunctella)

Clothes Moths

• Case-bearing Clothes Moth (Tinea pellionella)
• Common Clothes Moth (Tineola bisselliella)