What kind of moths are there, anyway?

After finding out that there were around 160 000 moth species, I didn’t have much hope of getting a useful answer when doing a quick search on this question. But people have obviously asked this question before. A quick search showed that moths can be generally grouped into superfamilies. These are moths that share general characteristics. But even in these groups, there can be variations. Nature loves to find a way, right? Depending on the classification system used there are around 43 or 29 superfamilies of moths. I’ve included a list of the most common below.

In keeping with the spirit of Moth 101, this is a very short overview of some of the main superfamilies of moths so we can get a sense of what kind of moths there are.

Selected List of Moth Superfamilies

Superfamily Bombycoidea:

• about 5, 800 species
• Characteristics: Often referred to as silk moths, many species in this superfamily produce silk. They typically have stout bodies, broad wings, and robust antennae. They often have colorful and eye-catching patterns. Examples:
  • Saturniidae (giant silk moths)
  • Sphingidae (hawk moths), known for their rapid flight and hovering ability. They do have a big body.
  • Actius luna (moon moth)
• Ecological Role: Many species are known for their significant roles in ecosystems as pollinators and as model organisms for scientific research.

Superfamily Geometroidea:

• About 23,000 species
• Characteristics: Geometrid moths are known for their slender bodies and wings that are often held flat when at rest. They get the nickname inchworm moths or loopers because while in their caterpillar stage, they move by drawing their hind end forward to meet the front end, forming a loop or an inchworm motion. An example:
  • Geometridae (geometer moths)
• Ecological Role: The larvae feed on a wide variety of plants. They can be significant defoliators in forests and gardens.

Superfamily:

• about 35,000 species
• Characteristics: Noctuoids come in various sizes and colors. They typically have stout bodies and well-developed antennae. Generally dull colors, but some can be colorful. Many species are nocturnal, though some are diurnal. Examples:
  • Noctuidae (owlet moths)
  • Erebidae (tiger and lichen moths).
• Ecological Role: Many species are agricultural pests, but they also play roles as pollinators and food sources for other wildlife.

Superfamily Pyraloidea:

• about 16 000 species
• Characteristics: Pyraloids are often small to medium-sized moths with slender bodies and narrow wings. Many species in this superfamily are day-flying. Examples:
  • Pyralidae (snout moths)
  • Crambidae (grass moths).
• Ecological Role: Many species are important agricultural pests, but others have larvae that are aquatic or live in unusual habitats like the stems of plants

Superfamily Tortricoidea:

• over 10,000 species
• Characteristics: Tortricoids are typically small to medium-sized moths with triangular wings when at rest. They often have distinctive patterns and markings on their wings. Example:
  • Tortricidae (tortrix moths), known for rolling or folding leaves in their larval/caterpillar stage
• Ecological Role: Many species are pests of fruit trees and other crops, causing economic damage by rolling leaves and feeding within.

Superfamily Lasiocampoidea

• 1,100 to 1,400 species (but many taxonomical changes now)
• Characteristics: Generally medium to large moths with robust bodies, usually covered in dense, hairy or woolly scales. Their wings are generally broad and can be patterned or plain. Typically nocturnal and are attracted to lights. Example:
  • Lasiocampa trifolii: Known as the common lappet moth

How does knowing some moth classification help me as a writer?

When creating creatures for my books, it gives me a lot of freedom to create imaginary creatures based on some general characteristics but to add my own variations. The “getting it right” issue can be super strong with me. But this is a reminder that nature seldom seems to deal in absolutes (see what I did there?) and that nature is always changing and that we haven’t discovered everything yet.

This research also gave me a visual dictionary for what any moth creatures I might create for a story.

How does this make things more difficult for me as a writer?

Taxonomy! The classification of plants and animals into categories seems like it should be so rigid. It feels like it should be so satisfying to know where things belong and easily match the name to the pant or animal. But keeping up with taxonomy feels like a Sisyphean task taking place on shifting sands as names are changed or updated.

At the same time, it’s kind of exciting that our knowledge of creatures improves as technology like genetic analysis and electron microscopes allow us to learn more about how organisms are, or are not, connected. In a couple cases, I found it frustrating to be researching and see two names come up and then needing to figure out if it’s two different creatures or one name is outdated. Accuracy can be a rabbit hole of frustration. Even finding the number of lepidoptera superfamilies was difficult to find an agreed on number. Honestly, I’m kind of giving up on this part now.

Further reading

If you want to read more about classficiation of lepitoptera superfamilies, read this Britannica article. It gives a different number of species, then I found when researching the superfamilies specifically. So a different system? But it’s still an interesting overview. You’ll find more moth superfamilies and the butterfly superfamilies here. I think the descriptions are good.

Which is the cutest moth family?

I suppose this depends on your definition of cute. Everything I like comes from the  Superfamily Bombycoide. I have three favorites. The first time I saw a hummingbird hawk moth I thought I was seeing the tiniest hummingbird. I’ve been entranced since. I also see some in my neighborhood pollinating the flowers just like a bee. I love the fluffiness of the mulberry silk moth (Bombyx mori). Doesn’t it remind you of a fluffy bunny? When it comes to mothly elegance, the luna moths (Actias luna) are hard to beat.

Let me know if you have a favorite type of moth or interesting moth interaction story.

Next in Mothing 101

Stay tuned for the next post in the Mothing 101 series—Moths In Japan. We’ll cover the most common moths you’ll find here, a few rare one and Japanese moth words. If you want a quick reminder about what’s covered in this series check out the Mothing 101 main page.