Moths in Nevada
Of the several moths thriving in Nevada, the most commonly seen species belong to the Sphingidae family. Many have mentioned mostly sighting the tobacco hornworms and tomato hornworms, the caterpillar forms of the Carolina Sphinx and Five-spotted Hawkmoth, respectively, infesting potato, tomato, and tobacco plants. Another prominent sphinx moth inhabiting here is the giant white-lined sphinx moth, distinguished by its pink bands.
Large Moths: White-lined Sphinx Moth, Big Poplar Sphinx Moth, Carolina Sphinx Moth
Common Moths: Carolina Sphinx Moth, Five-spotted Hawk Moth
Here is the list of moths found in Nevada arranged in order of the family they belong.
Hawk Moths
- White-lined Sphinx Moth (Hyles lineata)
- Rocky Mountain Clearwing Moth (Hemaris thetis)
- Five-spotted Hawk Moth (Manduca quinquemaculata)
- Carolina Sphinx Moth (Manduca sexta)
- Big Poplar Sphinx Moth (Pachysphinx occidentalis)
- Great Ash Sphinx Moth (Sphinx chersis)
- One-eyed Sphinx Moth (Smerinthus cerisyi)
Erebidae Moths
- Nevada Tiger Moth (Grammia nevadensis)
- Semirelict Underwing Moth (Catocala semirelicta)
- Hermia Underwing Moth (Catocala hermia)
- Cinnabar Moth (Tyria jacobaeae)
- Williams’ Tiger Moth (Grammia williamsii)
- Ornate Tiger Moth (Grammia ornata)
Geometer Moths
- Sagebrush Girdle (Plataea trilinearia)
- Wavy-lined Emerald Moth (Synchlora aerate)
Clearwing Moths
- Strawberry Crown Moth (Synanthedon bibionipennis)
Saturniidae Moths
- Sheep Moth (Hemileuca eglanterina)
- Glover’s Silkmoth (Hyalophora gloveri)
