Sesiidae

Hornet Moth

Sesia apiformis

Range: Europe into eastern Asia; and eastern North America

This diurnal moth bears an incredible resemblance to a hornet; it even mimics the wasp’s jerky flight pattern. Larvae feed by boring into the wood of willows and poplars.

Noctuidae

Aholibah Underwing

Catocala aholibah

Range: Western North America

All members of the Catocala genus rest with their cryptic forewings covering the hindwings. When disturbed, the moth startles would-be attackers by flashing the bright underwings.

African Peach Moth

Egybolis vaillantina

Range: Africa, south of the Sahara desert

The brilliantly-colored African Peach moth is diurnal. Larvae feed on peach and soapberry.

Owlet Moth

Peridrome orbicularis

Range: Eastern Himalaya, through Myanmar and Thailand to the Philippines and Borneo

Females of this species are slightly larger than males. Larvae feed on plants in the dogbane family.

White Witch

Thysania agrippina

Range: South America, north to Mexico

The White Witch is also known as the Ghost moth or Great Owlet. It is one of the largest moth species, with a wingspan of up to 12 inches (30.5 cm).

Megalopygidae

Cotton Candy Flannel Moth

Trosia punctigera

Range: Panama, Colombia, Guyana, Surinam, and Brazil

The Flannel moth family occurs mainly in the neotropics. Soft outer hairs on the larvae mask long stinging spines that can cause a rash and inflammation if handled.