# List of Lepidoptera of Massachusetts

The following is a list of Lepidoptera present in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. There are over 200 different species of moths in the state, but due to similarities many are often mistaken for other species.

## List criteria and legend
### Criteria

* Photography – The list below does not cite vernacular photography, all photography sourcing must be verified by and/or taken by an expert in the field.
* Range – The list below generally excludes vagrancy, Lepidoptera that are native or have been introduced to the state are preferred. Photos alone can not establish a range unless specifically stated.

### Legend

* Endangered species (state level)

## Moths

| Image | Scientific name | Common name(s) | Genus | Family | Described |
| | Abagrotis alternata | Greater red dart Mottled gray cutworm | Abagrotis | Noctuidae | 1865 |
| — | Abagrotis brunneipennis | Yankee dart | Abagrotis | Noctuidae | 1875 |
| — | Abagrotis magnicupida | One-dotted dart | Abagrotis | Noctuidae | 1998 |
| — | Abagrotis nefascia (Status: Special concern) | Coastal heathland cutworm | Abagrotis | Noctuidae | 1908 |
| | Achatia distincta | Distinct Quaker | Achatia | Noctuidae | 1813 |
| | Acleris semipurpurana | Oak leaftier Oak leaf tier | Acleris | Tortricidae | 1909 |
| — | Acleris variana | Eastern blackheaded budworm | Acleris | Tortricidae | 1886 |
| | Acronicta afflicta | Afflicted dagger moth | Acronicta | Noctuidae | 1864 |
| | Acronicta albarufa (Status: Threatened) | Barrens dagger moth | Acronicta | Noctuidae | 1874 |
| | Acronicta haesitata | Hesitant dagger moth | Acronicta | Noctuidae | 1882 |
| | Acronicta hasta | Forked dagger moth Speared dagger moth Cherry dagger moth Dart dagger moth | Acronicta | Noctuidae | 1852 |
| | Acronicta inclara | Unclear dagger moth | Acronicta | Noctuidae | 1900 |
| | Acronicta increta | Raspberry bud dagger moth Raspberry bud moth Peach sword stripe night moth | Acronicta | Noctuidae | 1875 |
| | Acronicta lithospila | Streaked dagger moth | Acronicta | Noctuidae | 1874 |
| | Acronicta modica | Medium dagger moth | Acronicta | Noctuidae | 1856 |
| | Aethalura intertexta | Four-barred gray | Aethalura | Geometridae | 1860 |
| — | Aethes spartinana | — | Aethes | Tortricidae | 1916 |
| | Agrotis ipsilon | Dark sword-grass Black cutworm Greasy cutworm Floodplain cutworm Ipsilon dart | Agrotis | Noctuidae | 1766 |
| | Alsophila pometaria | Fall cankerworm | Alsophila | Geometridae | 1841 |
| | Anavitrinella pampinaria | Common gray | Anavitrinella | Geometridae | 1857 |
| | Anisota stigma (Status: Rare) | Spiny oakworm moth | Anisota | Saturniidae | 1775 |
| | Antepione thisoaria | Variable antepione | Antepione | Geometridae | 1857 |
| — | Apamea inebriata (Status: Special concern) | Drunk apamea moth | Apamea | Noctuidae | 1977 |
| | Apamea sordens | Rustic shoulder-knot Bordered apamea | Apamea | Noctuidae | 1766 |
| — | Apodrepanulatrix liberaria (Status: Endangered) | New Jersey tea inchworm | Apodrepanulatrix | Geometridae | 1860 |
| | Apantesis nais | Nais tiger moth | Apantesis | Erebidae | 1773 |
| | Arta statalis | Posturing arta moth | Arta | Pyralidae | 1875 |
| | Athetis tarda | Slowpoke moth | Athetis | Noctuidae | 1852 |
| — | Autographa precationis | Common looper moth | Autographa | Noctuidae | 1852 |
| | Baileya ophthalmica | Eyed baileya | Baileya | Nolidae | 1852 |
| — | Besma endropiaria | Straw besma | Besma | Geometridae | 1867 |
| | Besma quercivoraria | Oak besma | Besma | Geometridae | 1857 |
| | Bleptina caradrinalis | Bent-winged owlet Variable snout moth | Bleptina | Erebidae | 1852 |
| — | Cabnia myronella | — | Cabnia | Pyralidae | 1904 |
| | Callopistria cordata | Silver-spotted fern moth | Callopistria | Noctuidae | 1825 |
| | Callopistria mollissima | Pink-shaded fern moth | Callopistria | Noctuidae | 1852 |
| | Caripeta piniata | Northern pine looper | Caripeta | Geometridae | 1870 |
| | Catocala angusi (Status: Rare) | 'Angus' underwing | Catocala | Erebidae | 1876 |
| | Catocala crataegi | Hawthorn underwing Chokeberry underwing | Catocala | Erebidae | 1876 |
| | Catocala dejecta (Status: Rare) | Dejected underwing | Catocala | Erebidae | 1880 |
| | Catocala flebilis (Status: Possibly rare) | Mourning underwing | Catocala | Erebidae | 1872 |
| | Catocala herodias (Status: Special concern) | Herodias underwing Gerhard's underwing | Catocala | Erebidae | 1876 |
| | Catocala lacrymosa (Status: Rare) | Tearful underwing | Catocala | Erebidae | 1852 |
| | Catocala miranda (Status: Rare) | Miranda underwing | Catocala | Erebidae | 1881 |
| | Catocala obscura | Obscure underwing | Catocala | Erebidae | 1873 |
| — | Catocala pretiosa (Status: Endangered) | Precious underwing | Catocala | Erebidae | 1876 |
| | Catocala serena | Serene underwing | Catocala | Erebidae | 1864 |
| — | Chaetaglaea cerata (Status: Special concern) | Waxed sallow | Chaetaglaea | Noctuidae | 1943 |
| | Chloroclystis rectangulata | Green pug | Pasiphila | Geometridae | 1758 |
| | Chytolita morbidalis | Morbid owlet moth Morbid owlet | Chytolita | Erebidae | 1854 |
| | Chytonix palliatricula | Cloaked marvel moth | Chytonix | Noctuidae | 1852 |
| — | Cicinnus melsheimeri (Status: Threatened) | Melsheimer's sack bearer | Cicinnus | Mimallonidae | 1841 |
| — | Cingilia catenaria (Status: Special concern) | Chain-dotted geometer Chain dot geometer Chainspotted geometer Chain-spotted geometer | Cingilia | Geometridae | 1773 |
| | Cisthene packardii | Packard's lichen moth | Cisthene | Erebidae | 1863 |
| | Cladara limitaria | Mottled gray carpet moth | Cladara | Geometridae | 1860 |
| — | Coleophora astericola | — | Coleophora | Coleophoridae | 1920 |
| | Colocasia propinquilinea | Closebanded yellowhorn | Colocasia | Noctuidae | 1873 |
| | Condica vecors | Dusky groundling | Condica | Noctuidae | 1852 |
| | Cosmia calami | American dun-bar moth | Cosmia | Noctuidae | 1876 |
| — | Crocigrapha normani | — | Crocigrapha | Noctuidae | 1874 |
| | Cyclophora pendulinaria | Sweetfern geometer moth Pearly-grey wave | Cyclophora | Geometridae | 1857 |
| | Cycnia inopinatus (Status: Threatened) | Unexpected cycnia | Cycnia | Erebidae | 1882 |
| | Cycnia oregonensis | — | Cycnia | Erebidae | 1873 |
| | Darapsa pholus | Azalea sphinx | Darapsa | Sphingidae | 1779 |
| | Dargida rubripennis (Status: Threatened) | The pink streak | Dargida | Noctuidae | 1870 |
| | Deidamia inscriptum | Lettered sphinx | Deidamia | Sphingidae | 1839 |
| | Dolba hyloeus | Pawpaw sphinx | Dolba | Sphingidae | 1773 |
| — | Drasteria grandirena | Figure-seven moth Great kidney | Drasteria | Erebidae | 1809 |
| | Drepana arcuata | Arched hooktip Masked birch caterpillar | Drepana | Drepanidae | 1855 |
| | Eacles imperialis (Status: Threatened) | Imperial moth | Eacles | Saturniidae | 1773 |
| — | Egira alternans | Alternate woodling | Egira | Noctuidae | 1857 |
| | Elaphria festivoides | Festive midget | Elaphria | Noctuidae | 1852 |
| | Elaphria versicolor | Variegated midget | Elaphria | Noctuidae | 1875 |
| — | Euchlaena irraria | Least-marked euchlaena | Euchlaena | Geometridae | 1916 |
| | Euchlaena madusaria (Status: Special concern) | Scrub euchlaena moth | Euchlaena | Geometridae | 1860 |
| | Eufidonia convergaria | Pine powder moth Converged powder moth | Eufidonia | Geometridae | 1860 |
| — | Eufidonia notataria | Powder moth | Eufidonia | Geometridae | 1860 |
| — | Eulithis explanata | White eulithis | Eulithis | Geometridae | 1862 |
| — | Euplexia benesimilis | American angle shades | Euplexia | Noctuidae | 1922 |
| | Eutrapela clemetaria | Curve-toothed geometer moth Purplish-brown looper | Eutrapela | Geometridae | 1797 |
| — | Feltia manifesta | — | Feltia | Noctuidae | 1875 |
| | Apantesis figurata | Figured tiger moth | Apantesis | Erebidae | 1773 |
| | Apantesis phyllira (Status: Endangered) | Phyllira tiger moth | Apantesis | Erebidae | 1773 |
| | Heliomata cycladata | Common spring moth | Heliomata | Geometridae | 1866 |
| | Hemaris diffinis | Snowberry clearwing | Hemaris | Sphingidae | 1836 |
| | Hemaris gracilis (Status: Special concern) | Slender clearwing Graceful clearwing | Hemaris | Sphingidae | 1865 |
| | Hemaris thysbe | Hummingbird clearwing | Hemaris | Sphingidae | 1775 |
| | Hemileuca maia (Status: Special concern) | Buck moth | Hemileuca | Saturniidae | 1773 |
| | Heterocampa guttivitta | Saddled prominent moth | Heterocampa | Notodontidae | 1855 |
| | Heterocampa umbrata | White-blotched heterocampa | Heterocampa | Notodontidae | 1855 |
| — | Heterocampa varia (Status: Threatened) | Sandplain heterocampa Alpine mouse-ear White-marked heterocampa | Heterocampa | Notodontidae | 1855 |
| | Homorthodes lindseyi | Southern scurfy Quaker moth | Homorthodes | Noctuidae | 1922 |
| | Hypagyrtis esther | Esther moth | Hypagyrtis | Geometridae | 1928 |
| | Hypagyrtis unipunctata | One-spotted variant White spot | Hypagyrtis | Geometridae | 1809 |
| — | Hypenodes fractilinea | Broken-line hypenodes | Hypenodes | Erebidae | 1908 |
| | Hyperaeschra georgica | Georgian prominent | Hyperaeschra | Notodontidae | 1855 |
| — | Hyperstrotia villificans | White-lined graylet moth | Hyperstrotia | Erebidae | 1918 |
| | Hyphantria cunea | Fall webworm | Hyphantria | Erebidae | 1773 |
| — | Hypomecis buchholzaria (Status: Endangered) | Blue spiderwort moth Buchholz's gray | Hypomecis | Geometridae | 1937 |
| — | Hyppa xylinoides | Common hyppa Cranberry cutworm | Hyppa | Noctuidae | 1852 |
| | Idia aemula | Common idia Powdered snout Waved tabby | Idia | Erebidae | 1813 |
| | Idia americalis | American idia American snout | Idia | Erebidae | 1854 |
| — | Idia julia | Julia’s Idia | Idia | Erebidae | 1894 |
| | Idia rotundalis | Chocolate idia | Idia | Erebidae | 1866 |
| — | Iridopsis vellivolata | Large purplish gray | Iridopsis | Geometridae | 1881 |
| | Itame pustularia | Lesser maple spanworm | Speranza | Geometridae | 1857 |
| — | Lacinipolia anguina | Snaky arches | Lacinipolia | Noctuidae | 1881 |
| | Lacinipolia renigera | Kidney-spotted minor Bristly cutworm | Lacinipolia | Noctuidae | 1829 |
| | Ledaea perditalis | Buttonbush owlet | Ledaea | Erebidae | 1859 |
| — | Leucania linita | Linen wainscot moth | Leucania | Noctuidae | 1852 |
| | Leucania ursula | Ursula wainscot | Leucania | Noctuidae | 1936 |
| — | Lithophane viridipallens (Status: Special concern) | Pale green pinion moth | Lithophane | Noctuidae | 1877 |
| | Lomographa vestaliata | White spring moth | Lomographa | Geometridae | 1857 |
| — | Lycia rachelae (Status: Endangered) | Twilight moth | Lycia | Geometridae | 1896 |
| | Lycia ypsilon (Status: Threatened) | Woolly gray | Lycia | Geometridae | 1885 |
| | Lymantria dispar dispar | Gypsy moth | Lymantria | Erebidae | 1758 |
| — | Macaria bisignata | Redheaded inchworm | Macaria | Geometridae | 1866 |
| — | Macaria granitata | Granite moth | Macaria | Geometridae | 1857 |
| | Macaria minorata | Minor angle moth | Macaria | Geometridae | 1873 |
| — | Macaria pinistrobata | White pine angle | Macaria | Geometridae | 1972 |
| | Macaria transitaria | Blurry chocolate angle | Macaria | Geometridae | 1861 |
| | Macrurocampa marthesia | Mottled prominent | Macrurocampa | Notodontidae | 1780 |
| | Malacosoma americanum | Eastern tent caterpillar | Malacosoma | Lasiocampidae | 1793 |
| | Meganola minuscula | Confused meganola | Meganola | Nolidae | 1872 |
| — | Metarranthis apiciaria (Status: Endangered) | Barrens metarranthis | Metarranthis | Geometridae | 1876 |
| | Metarranthis obfirmaria | Yellow-washed metarranthis | Metarranthis | Geometridae | 1823 |
| — | Metarranthis pilosaria (Status: Special concern) | Coastal bog metarranthi Slender groundsel moth | Metarranthis | Geometridae | 1876 |
| | Morrisonia confusa | Confused woodgrain | Morrisonia | Noctuidae | 1831 |
| | Morrisonia latex | Fluid arches | Morrisonia | Noctuidae | 1852 |
| | Nadata gibbosa | Rough prominent White-dotted prominent Tawny prominent | Nadata | Notodontidae | 1797 |
| | Nemoria bistriaria | Red-fringed emerald Two-striped emerald | Nemoria | Geometridae | 1818 |
| — | Neoligia semicana (Status: Special concern) | Northern brocade moth | Neoligia | Noctuidae | 1865 |
| | Noctua pronuba | Large yellow underwing | Noctua | Noctuidae | 1758 |
| | Nola clethrae | Sweet pepperbush nola moth | Nola | Nolidae | 1899 |
| | Nola pustulata | Sharp-blotched nola | Nola | Nolidae | 1865 |
| | Oligia strigilis | Marbled minor | Oligia | Noctuidae | 1758 |
| | Operophtera brumata | Winter moth | Operophtera | Geometridae | 1758 |
| — | Orthodes cynica | Cynical Quaker | Orthodes | Noctuidae | 1852 |
| — | Orthodes detracta | Disparaged arches | Orthodes | Noctuidae | 1857 |
| | Paleacrita vernata | Spring cankerworm | Paleacrita | Geometridae | 1795 |
| | Palthis angulalis | Dark-spotted palthis | Palthis | Erebidae | 1796 |
| | Pangrapta decoralis | Decorated owlet | Pangrapta | Erebidae | 1818 |
| | Panopoda rufimargo | Red-lined panopoda | Panopoda | Erebidae | 1818 |
| — | Papaipema appassionata (Status: Threatened) | Pitcher plant borer | Papaipema | Noctuidae | 1876 |
| — | Papaipema sp. 2 near pterisii (Status: Special concern) | Ostrich fern borer | Papaipema | Noctuidae | Un­known |
| — | Papaipema stenocelis (Status: Threatened) | Chain fern borer | Papaipema | Noctuidae | 1907 |
| — | Papaipema sulphurata (Status: Threatened) | Water-willow stem borer | Papaipema | Noctuidae | 1926 |
| | Peridea angulosa | Angulose prominent | Peridea | Notodontidae | 1797 |
| | Pero ancetaria | Hübner's pero | Pero | Geometridae | 1806 |
| — | Petrophora subaequaria | Northern petrophora | Petrophora | Geometridae | 1860 |
| | Phaeoura quernaria | Oak beauty | Phaeoura | Geometridae | 1797 |
| | Phalaenostola larentioides | Black-banded owlet | Phalaenostola | Erebidae | 1873 |
| — | Photedes inops (Status: Special concern) | Spartina borer moth | Photedes | Noctuidae | 1881 |
| | Plagodis alcoolaria | Hollow-spotted plagodis | Plagodis | Geometridae | 1857 |
| — | Probole alienaria | Alien probole | Probole | Geometridae | 1855 |
| | Protitame virginalis | Virgin moth | Protitame | Geometridae | 1900 |
| — | Protoboarmia porcelaria | Porcelain gray Dash-lined looper | Protoboarmia | Geometridae | 1857 |
| | Protorthodes oviduca | Ruddy Quaker moth | Protorthodes | Noctuidae | 1852 |
| — | Psectraglaea carnosa (Status: Special concern) | Pink sallow | Psectraglaea | Noctuidae | 1877 |
| | Ptichodis bistrigata (Status: Threatened) | Southern ptichodis moth | Ptichodis | Erebidae | 1818 |
| | Raphia frater | — | Raphia | Noctuidae | 1864 |
| | Rhodoecia aurantiago (Status: Special concern) | Orange sallow moth Aureolaria seed borer | Rhodoecia | Noctuidae | 1852 |
| | Schizura unicornis | Unicorn caterpillar moth Unicorn prominent Variegated prominent | Schizura | Notodontidae | 1797 |
| — | Spargaloma sexpunctata | Six-spotted gray | Spargaloma | Erebidae | 1873 |
| — | Speranza argillacearia | Mousy angle moth | Speranza | Geometridae | 1874 |
| — | Speranza exonerata (Status: Special concern) | Barrens itame | Speranza | Geometridae | 2008 |
| | Spilosoma congrua | Agreeable tiger moth | Spilosoma | Erebidae | 1855 |
| — | Spilosoma virginica | Virginia tiger moth | Spilosoma | Erebidae | 1798 |
| — | Spiramater lutra | Otter spiramater | Spiramater | Noctuidae | 1852 |
| — | Stenoporpia polygrammaria (Status: Threatened) | Faded gray Faded gray geometer | Stenoporpia | Geometridae | 1876 |
| — | Sympistis riparia (Status: Special concern) | Dune sympistis | Sympistis | Noctuidae | Un­known |
| | Tetanolita mynesalis | Smoky tetanolita | Tetanolita | Erebidae | 1859 |
| | Tetracis cachexiata | White slant-line White slaut | Tetracis | Geometridae | 1858 |
| | Ulolonche culea | Sheathed Quaker | Ulolonche | Noctuidae | 1852 |
| — | Ulolonche modesta | Modest Quaker | Ulolonche | Noctuidae | 1874 |
| | Virbia opella | Tawny holomelina | Virbia | Erebidae | 1863 |
| — | Zale helata | Brown-spotted zale | Zale | Noctuidae | 1943 |
| | Zale lunifera (Status: Special concern) | Bold-based zale Pine barrens zale | Zale | Noctuidae | 1818 |
| — | Zale metatoides | Washed-out zale Jack pine false looper | Zale | Noctuidae | 1943 |
| | Zale minerea | Colorful zale Large false looper Mahogany similar-wing | Zale | Erebidae | 1852 |
| — | Zale obliqua | Oblique zale | Zale | Noctuidae | 1852 |
| | Zale undularis | Black zale | Zale | Noctuidae | 1773 |
| | Zanclognatha marcidilinea | Yellowish zanclognatha | Zanclognatha | Erebidae | 1859 |
| — | Zanclognatha martha (Status: Special concern) | Pine barrens zanclognatha Martha's zanclognatha | Zanclognatha | Erebidae | 1928 |

## Butterflies

| Image | Scientific name | Common name(s) | Genus | Family | Described |
| | Achalarus lyciades | Hoary edge | Achalarus | Hesperiidae | 1832 |
| — | Callophrys hesseli (Status: Special concern) | Hessel's hairstreak | Callophrys | Lycaenidae | 1950 |
| — | Callophrys lanoraieensis (Status: Threatened) | Bog elfin | Callophrys | Lycaenidae | 1934 |
| | Callophrys irus (Status: Special concern) | Frosted elfin | Callophrys | Lycaenidae | 1824 |
| — | Erora laeta (Status: Threatened) | Early hairstreak | Erora | Lycaenidae | 1862 |
| | Erynnis persius persius (Status: Endangered) | Persius duskywing | Erynnis | Hesperiidae | 1863 |
| | Euphyes dion (Status: Threatened) | Dion skipper Alabama skipper | Euphyes | Hesperiidae | 1879 |
| | Pieris oleracea | Mustard white | Pieris | Pieridae | 1829 |