Moths in New Hampshire: What's Flying Tonight

In New Hampshire, midsummer nights bring a classic northern-forest mix: the one-eyed sphinx (Paonias excaecata), the geometrid Macaria pustularia, the elm sphinx (Ceratomia undulosa), the painted lichen moth (Hypoprepia fucosa), and the invasive Spongy Moth (Lymantria dispar). Spring is the time for the unmistakable pink-and-yellow Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda), while fall belongs to the tussock moths, including the Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophocampa caryae) and Banded Tussock Moth (Halysidota tessellaris).

What's flying in New Hampshire right now

New Hampshire's maple, birch, and oak woods support a rich northeastern moth community that turns over noticeably through the season. In July the night is led by sphinx and lichen moths and geometers: the one-eyed sphinx (Paonias excaecata) with its blue-eyespot hindwings, the elm sphinx (Ceratomia undulosa), the painted lichen moth (Hypoprepia fucosa), the large lace-border (Scopula limboundata), and Macaria pustularia. The arched hooktip (Drepana arcuata) is also out.

One July regular is best framed honestly: the Spongy Moth (Lymantria dispar) is an introduced, invasive defoliator in North America, not a native. It is abundant at New Hampshire lights in outbreak years and is worth recognizing for what it is.

July vs. May vs. September

• May: the showpiece is the Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda), a small pink-and-yellow silk moth. Like all giant silk moths it has no working mouthparts as an adult and does not feed, living only a week or two to mate. Spring also brings the curved-toothed geometer (Eutrapela clemataria), the eastern tent caterpillar moth (Malacosoma americana), and Cladara limitaria.
• July: peak sphinx-and-geometrid diversity, with Paonias excaecata, Ceratomia undulosa, Hypoprepia fucosa, Macaria pustularia, and the invasive Spongy Moth.
• September: the tussock moths take over. The Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophocampa caryae) and white-marked relatives have irritating hairs as caterpillars, so do not handle them. You will also see the banded tussock moth (Halysidota tessellaris), the Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella, the woolly bear's adult), and the American Dagger Moth (Acronicta americana).

Mothing tips for New Hampshire

Moths respond most strongly to UV and short-wavelength light. The leading explanation is that artificial light disrupts their flight orientation (they hold a light at a fixed angle the way they would the moon), not that they are drawn to a goal, so a UV or mercury-vapor bulb over a white sheet beats a white LED porch light. Warm, humid, moonless nights at a forest edge are ideal. Check the good-mothing-night score and the good-night-for-moths guide first.

New to this? Begin with mothing for beginners. For tonight's prediction at your spot, use the live tool, and compare with neighbors via the state index.

A note for National Moth Week

National Moth Week 2026 runs July 18-26, right in New Hampshire's peak summer window. See National Moth Week for how to take part.