North Dakota's moths shift with the short prairie summer. In July the showy species are out, including the prairie tiger moth (Apantesis arge), the eyed sphinx Smerinthus jamaicensis, and the leafy-spurge-feeding Hyles euphorbiae, alongside the litter moth Idia americalis. May runs quieter with early flyers like the chocolate prominent (Gluphisia septentrionis) and the eastern tent caterpillar moth (Malacosoma americana), while September brings fall noctuids such as the green cloverworm moth (Hypena scabra) plus the banded woollybear's adult, the Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella). Run the live tool for tonight's location-specific list.
What's flying in North Dakota right now
North Dakota sits at the edge of the northern Great Plains, so its moth calendar is compressed into a short, intense warm season. The species you see depend heavily on the month, so the live tool on the home page checks open GBIF records against your exact spot and date.
July: peak prairie diversity
Midsummer is the richest stretch. Recent July records are led by the prairie tiger moth (Apantesis arge), a boldly striped tiger moth, plus the litter moth Idia americalis and two hawk moths: the one-eyed sphinx (Smerinthus jamaicensis) and the leafy spurge hawkmoth (Hyles euphorbiae). That last one is interesting locally because it was deliberately introduced as a biocontrol agent against invasive leafy spurge, so seeing it on the prairie is by design. Sphinx moths like these feed as adults on nectar and are powerful fliers, so they often arrive at a light late and leave fast.
May and September: the shoulder seasons
Spring is sparser. May records feature the chocolate prominent (Gluphisia septentrionis) and the eastern tent caterpillar moth (Malacosoma americana), whose silk nests you may have already noticed in shrubs. By September the prairie hands off to fall noctuids, with the green cloverworm moth (Hypena scabra) and the Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella) common. The Isabella's caterpillar is the familiar banded woollybear, and Hyles euphorbiae lingers into autumn here too.
Local mothing tips
- Wind is the big variable on the open prairie. Set up on the sheltered side of a shelterbelt, building, or treeline.
- UV or mercury-vapor light pulls in far more species than a plain white LED porch bulb. Moths come to short-wavelength light most strongly.
- The leading explanation for why they show up is that artificial light disrupts their flight orientation, not that the light "attracts" them like a magnet, so a sheet beside a steady lamp works well.
- New to this? Start with our beginner's guide to mothing and check what makes a good night for moths before you head out.
See tonight's list
Want the specific moths likely at your address tonight, plus a good-mothing-night score? Run the prediction tool or browse the full state index to compare with neighbors like Minnesota and South Dakota.
Frequently asked
What moths are common in North Dakota?Common North Dakota moths include the prairie tiger moth (Apantesis arge), the litter moth Idia americalis, the one-eyed sphinx (Smerinthus jamaicensis), the leafy spurge hawkmoth (Hyles euphorbiae) in summer, and the Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella) in fall.
When is the best time to see moths in North Dakota?July offers the most diversity, with prairie tiger moths and several hawk moths flying. May and September are quieter shoulder seasons with early-spring and fall species respectively. Warm, calm, humid nights are best.
Are there hawk moths in North Dakota?Yes. The one-eyed sphinx (Smerinthus jamaicensis) and the leafy spurge hawkmoth (Hyles euphorbiae) both show up in July, and the white-lined sphinx (Hyles lineata) appears in September. Hawk moths feed on nectar as adults and are strong fliers.
What is the leafy spurge hawkmoth doing in North Dakota?Hyles euphorbiae was introduced to North America as a biological control agent against invasive leafy spurge, so its presence on the prairie is intentional. Its caterpillars feed on the spurge.
How do I identify a moth I found in North Dakota?This site predicts likely species by location and date rather than identifying a photo. For photo ID, try 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.