Dakota Naturalist

This collage of photographs introduces our common local Tiger Moths (Family Erebidae, Subfamily Arctiinae, Tribe Arctiini).  Shown here are examples of  14 genera and 18 species, all of which were found and photographed in either northeastern North Dakota or northwestern Minnesota.

Try learning the identity of several of these moths by matching photographs shown here with those found on pages 294-309 of the Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America.  

There are many more species of Tiger Moths in North Dakota and Minnesota, and I hope to add photographs of more local species to this subfamily during the summer of 2014.   Browse this link to look at other examples of North American Tiger Moths archived in the Moth Photographer’s Guide: http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/fast.php?plate=51.0&page=2

These five images introduce our common local Lichen Moths (Family Erebidae, Subfamily Arctiinae, Tribe Lithosiini).  Shown here are examples of  three genera and five species, all of which were found and photographed in northeastern North Dakota.

Spend a few minutes learning the names of these small moths by matching these photographs with images shown on pages 292-295 of the Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America.  

Browse this link to examine other examples of North American Lichen Moths displayed on the Moth Photographer’s Guide: http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/slow.php?plate=51.0&page=2

This collage of images introduces our common local Dart Moths (Family Noctuidae, Subfamily Noctuinae, Tribe Noctuini).  I reckon this batch of photos may include examples of 14 genera and 26-27 species, all found and photographed in northeastern North Dakota. But I could be ‘way wrong’ about the identity of a couple of these specimens, so I’m hoping you’ll help me. 

See if you can identify a few of these Darts by matching them with images found on pages 506-527 of the Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America.  But remember, suicide is not an option if you find yourself getting frustrated.  Try doing what I do:  take a break, brew-up a pot-o-tea, pour yourself a cup, chant ‘Om‘ for a half-hour, and then return to the task.  If after three iterations this does not work well for you, then substitute a good bottle of cabernet sauvignon for the pot-o-tea and resume the task tomorrow.

So you say that you’re the sort of moth’er who has masochistic inclinations?  Well, then, this link to Moth Photographer’s Guide’s North American Noctuinae may offer the Sisyphean challenge you’re seeking: http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/pinned.php?plate=33&size=m&sort=h

These photographs introduce our local Flower Moths (Family Noctuidae, Subfamily Heliothinae).  Shown here are examples of 4 common genera and 7 different species I’ve found and photographed in northeastern North Dakota.

Try to identify a few of these moths by matching them with images found on pages 422-427 of the Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America?  (Individuals in this group may be a little easier to identify than some others I’ve posted recently.) 

There are some very colorful moths in the Subfamily Heliothinae.  Click on this link to find many more splendid examples of North American Flower Moths archived in the Moth Photographers Guide: http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/pinned.php?plate=34&size=m&sort=h

These small moths represent our common local Litter Moths (Family Erebidae, Subfamily Herminiinae).  Shown here are examples of 6 genera and 14 species that I’ve found and photographed in northeastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.

Can you can identify a few of these moths by matching them with images found on pages 310-321 of the Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America?  Why not give it a try! 

Are you ready to be bewildered?  If so, then please click on this link to find many excellent photographs showing important taxonomic features of many North American species of Litter Moths archived in the Moth Photographers Guide: http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/pinned.php?plate=24&size=m&sort=h

Moths shown here represent a collage of Spring Quakers, Woodlings, Woodgrains and Large Arches, all of which are placed in the Family Noctuidae and the Subfamily Noctuinae.  I reckon these images may represent 14 genera and 16 species that are commonly observed in northeastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.

A few of these Noctuid moths are particularly challenging to identify!  See if you can identify a few of these moths by matching them with images found on pages 480-493 of the Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America. 

Click on this link to the Moth Photographers Guide to find excellent photographs many, many other North American species of Spring Quakers, Woodlings, Woodgrains, and Large Arches: http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/fast.php?plate=63.0&size=l&sort=p

Prominent Moths are grouped in the Family Notodontidae.  Images shown here represent 11 genera and 14 common species found in northeastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota. 

See if you can identify our local Prominent Moths by matching them with images found on pages 270-287 of the Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America. 

Click on this link to the Moth Photographers Guide to find many wonderful photographs these and other species of Prominent Moths : http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/slow.php?plate=21&sort=h

Archips Leafrollers are small moths, usually about a centimeter in length.  They are in the Family Tortricidae, and are very similar to the Tortrix Leafrollers that were featured earlier on this site.  The 18 Archips Leafrollers shown here represent 8 genera and at least 16 common species found in northeastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.  I hope to catch and photograph many more species of local Archipini this summer, 2014.

Try to identify the moths in the photographs above by matching them with images found on pages 96-102 in the Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America. 

How many different species of Archips Leafrollers can you find?

Want to see more?  Brace yourself, and then click on this link to the Moth Photographers Guide where you will find many, many more pinned examples of Archipini species: http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/pinned.php?plate=09.1&size=m&sort=h

This subfamily of geometrid or geometer moths is represented by no fewer than 14 genera and 16 different species in northeastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.  See if you can identify our common local examples of Carpet and Pug moths by matching the images in the collage above with those found on pages 180-189 of the Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America. 

How many species can you find?

Want to see more?  Click on this link that will take you to the Moth Photographers Guide where you will find these as well as many, many more examples of Larentiinae: http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/fast.php?plate=17.7&sort=h

This subfamily of noctid or owlet moths has a distinctive profile, and so they are usually photographed  laterally, rather than dorsally, to show the salient features of this profile.  Looper moths in this collage of selected images represent 15 different species and 10 genera.  See if you can identify these Looper moths by matching these images with those shown on pages 374-383 of the Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America. 

Go to this address of Moth Photographers Guide to find many, many more examples of this subfamily: http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/slow.php?plate=27&size=m&sort=h