Moths in Arizona: What's Flying Tonight

Arizona's signature moth is the White-lined Sphinx (Hyles lineata), a fast, nectar-feeding hawk moth that hovers at flowers and shows up at lights all season - May, July, and September alike. Summer monsoon nights add desert specialists like the buck moth relative Syssphinx montana, the western Pachysphinx occidentalis (big poplar sphinx), and the Carolina Sphinx (Manduca sexta), whose caterpillar is the tobacco hornworm. Which species you actually see depends on the night and the monsoon, so the live tool below ranks Arizona's most likely moths for your exact location and date from open GBIF records.

What's flying in Arizona right now

Arizona mothing runs on water. The dry early summer is quieter, then the July-August monsoon triggers a desert explosion of activity. The one constant is the White-lined Sphinx (Hyles lineata) - a strong-flying sphinx moth that actually feeds as an adult, hovering at flowers like a hummingbird and coming readily to lights from spring through fall. Around now, also watch for the day-flying forester Euscirrhopterus cosyra and the stinging-rose-relative Norape tener.

Season by season

Spring (May)

May is sphinx-and-silk season in the uplands. The White-lined Sphinx (Hyles lineata) is already on the wing, joined by the buck moth Hemileuca juno, the tent caterpillar moth Malacosoma incurva, the lichen moth Cisthene angelus, and the snout moth Hemeroplanis incusalis.

Summer (July)

With the monsoon, July is Arizona's richest stretch. Look for the big western sphinx Pachysphinx occidentalis, the royal silk moths Syssphinx montana and the Carolina Sphinx (Manduca sexta) - whose green caterpillar is the tobacco hornworm (not the tomato hornworm, which is a different moth). Smaller players include Neumoegenia poetica and Ponometia venustula.

Fall (September)

Late season keeps the White-lined Sphinx common and adds the big tomato hornworm moth Manduca quinquemaculatus (five-spotted hawk moth), the royal moth Syssphinx hubbardi, and the pretty pyralid Mimoschinia rufofascialis.

Local mothing tips

• In the desert, time your sheet to monsoon humidity - a muggy night after rain massively outperforms a dry one.
• Moths come to UV and short wavelengths most strongly; a UV or mercury-vapor bulb beats white LED. They gather because bright artificial light disrupts their flight orientation, not because they're chasing the light.
• Sphinx moths are powerful fliers and may buzz the sheet rather than settle - give them a moment.
• See what makes a good night for moths and, if you're starting out, mothing for beginners.

See tonight's Arizona list

Run the live prediction tool to see the moths most likely flying at your location tonight, or browse all states. For a desert contrast, compare nearby New Mexico. National Moth Week is July 18-26, 2026 - right in the monsoon sweet spot.