In Nebraska, the moths flying right now in midsummer are dominated by small prairie flower moths in the genus Schinia (including Schinia simplex, Schinia gaurae, and Schinia jaguarina) alongside fast sphinx moths like the White-lined Sphinx (Hyles lineata) and the day-flying Snowberry Clearwing (Hemaris diffinis). You will also see the little chickweed geometer (Haematopis grataria) and the big Achemon Sphinx (Eumorpha achemon) at lights. By late summer and fall the mix shifts toward crop-feeding noctuids like the corn earworm moth (Helicoverpa zea) and dart moths such as Feltia jaculifera.
What's flying in Nebraska right now
Nebraska sits where eastern woodland and western Great Plains moth faunas overlap, so a backyard sheet here can pull a genuinely mixed crowd. In July the standouts are the prairie flower moths: Schinia gaurae, Schinia simplex, Schinia jaguarina, and Schinia lucens. These Schinia species are tied to native wildflowers like gaura and blazing star, which is part of what makes Nebraska's grassland edges and restored prairies such productive mothing ground.
The sphinx and clearwing moths are the showstoppers. The White-lined Sphinx (Hyles lineata) is a strong, hovering nectar feeder you may see at dusk working flowers like a hummingbird, and the Achemon Sphinx (Eumorpha achemon) turns up at lights as a heavy-bodied gray-and-pink moth. The Snowberry Clearwing (Hemaris diffinis) is day-flying and genuinely hovers like a bumblebee at flowers, so you can enjoy it without waiting for dark.
July vs. May vs. September
The calendar matters a lot here:
- May: quieter and more geometrid-driven, with the common gray (Anavitrinella pampinaria), oak besma (Besma quercivoraria), and the regional Sphinx vashti among the early fliers.
- July: peak diversity, headlined by the Schinia flower moths, White-lined Sphinx, Achemon Sphinx, and Snowberry Clearwing.
- September: an agricultural, noctuid-heavy lineup. Expect the corn earworm moth (Helicoverpa zea), the dingy cutworm moth (Feltia jaculifera), the green cloverworm moth (Hypena scabra), and White-lined Sphinx still on the wing.
Mothing tips for Nebraska
Moths come to UV and short-wavelength light most strongly. The leading explanation is that artificial light disrupts their flight orientation (they try to hold a light at a fixed angle the way they would the moon) rather than that they are seeking the light out. A UV or mercury-vapor bulb over a white sheet will pull far more than a porch LED. Warm, still, overcast nights after sunset are best, and prairie or woodland edges beat a mowed lawn. Check the good-mothing-night score before you set up, and the good-night-for-moths guide explains what weather to look for.
New to this? Start with mothing for beginners. To see tonight's specific prediction for your spot, run the live tool, and browse other states from the state index.
A note for National Moth Week
National Moth Week 2026 runs July 18-26, which lands right in Nebraska's peak. It is a great window to set up a sheet, log what you find, and contribute records. See National Moth Week for how to take part.
Frequently asked
What moths are flying in Nebraska right now?In midsummer, expect prairie flower moths (Schinia gaurae, Schinia simplex, Schinia jaguarina), the White-lined Sphinx, Achemon Sphinx, and the day-flying Snowberry Clearwing. By fall the mix shifts to noctuids like the corn earworm moth and dingy cutworm moth.
What is the big pink-and-gray moth I saw at my light in Nebraska?That is most likely the Achemon Sphinx (Eumorpha achemon), a heavy-bodied hawk moth common at Nebraska lights in July. The White-lined Sphinx is another large sphinx you may see hovering at flowers at dusk.
Are there hummingbird-like moths in Nebraska?Yes. The Snowberry Clearwing (Hemaris diffinis) is day-flying and hovers at flowers just like a tiny hummingbird or bumblebee, so you can watch it in daylight. The White-lined Sphinx also hovers, usually at dusk.
What is the best light for attracting moths in Nebraska?UV or mercury-vapor bulbs over a white sheet work best, since moths respond most strongly to short-wavelength light. A standard white LED porch light pulls far fewer moths.
Can this site identify a moth from my photo?No. Tonight's Moths predicts likely species by your location and date from open GBIF records. For photo ID, use iNaturalist or Seek, BugGuide, the Moth Photographers Group, or BAMONA.
Top moth species per month from open-licensed GBIF records (CC0/CC-BY), aggregated over an approximate state bounding box. Butterflies excluded. GBIF download DOI: 10.15468/dl.3w3w76. Independent project; not affiliated with iNaturalist or Butterfly Conservation.