Moths in Illinois: What's Flying Tonight

In Illinois right now, mid-summer nights are dominated by small, common species: the Ailanthus Webworm Moth (Atteva punctella), the Celery Looper's relatives, the bright Chickweed Geometer (Haematopis grataria), and the Green Cloverworm Moth (Hypena scabra). The migratory Lucerne Moth (Nomophila nearctica) is also widespread across the state's prairies and farm country. Earlier in spring you'll see Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moths and the woolly-bear Isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrharctia isabella), and the exact lineup on any night depends on your date and location.

What's flying in Illinois right now

Illinois sits in classic prairie-and-cornbelt country, and its summer moths reflect that. The Ailanthus Webworm Moth (Atteva punctella), orange with white spots, is tied to the invasive tree-of-heaven and flies day and night. The Chickweed Geometer (Haematopis grataria) is a tiny pink-and-yellow inchworm moth common in lawns and field edges. You'll also meet the Lucerne Moth (Nomophila nearctica), a long-winged grass moth that migrates widely, plus Microcrambus elegans, the Grapevine Epimenis crowd, Acrolophus popeanella, the Common Tan Wave (Pleuroprucha insulsaria), and the Green Cloverworm Moth (Hypena scabra).

Spring vs early fall

In May, the Illinois sheet leans toward the Bristly Cutworm (Lacinipolia renigera), the Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth (Malacosoma americana), the Green Cloverworm Moth (Hypena scabra), the Isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrharctia isabella) whose larva is the famous woolly bear, and the Celery Leaftier (Udea rubigalis). Spring is a good window for fresh, active individuals before mid-summer heat.

By September, the night shifts to Dichagyris reliqua, again the Bristly Cutworm (Lacinipolia renigera) and Chickweed Geometer (Haematopis grataria), the persistent Ailanthus Webworm Moth (Atteva punctella), and the Virginian Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica). Fall is prime season for tiger moths whose hairy caterpillars - including the woolly bear - are out crossing sidewalks.

Local mothing tips

• A UV or mercury-vapor light over a white sheet draws far more moths than a plain LED porch bulb. Moths come to short-wavelength light because it disrupts their flight orientation, not because they seek the bulb.
• Prairie restorations, oak savannas, and river corridors like the Illinois and Mississippi bottomlands are productive. Even a city backyard works on the right night.
• Pick warm, humid, still, moonless evenings. The good-night-for-moths score helps you choose.

See tonight's Illinois list

Run the live tool for the species most likely flying at your exact spot tonight from open GBIF records. New to it? Try mothing for beginners, browse all states, or join in for National Moth Week (July 18-26, 2026). Curious about a hairy caterpillar you found? See what moth is this.