Moths in Oklahoma: What's Flying Tonight

Oklahoma's moth season blends southern Plains and woodland species. In July the lineup includes the yellow-striped armyworm moth (Spodoptera ornithogalli), the day-active Ailanthus webworm moth (Atteva punctella), the mournful sphinx-relative underwing Catocala lacrymosa, and the white-lined sphinx (Hyles lineata). May is dominated by that same white-lined sphinx plus the eastern tent caterpillar moth (Malacosoma americana), while September swings to crop-associated noctuids like the corn earworm moth (Helicoverpa zea) and the green cloverworm moth (Hypena scabra). Check the live tool for tonight's list at your exact spot.

What's flying in Oklahoma right now

Oklahoma straddles the line between the southern Great Plains and eastern woodlands, so its moth fauna pulls from both. Because the mix changes month to month, the live prediction tool is the fastest way to see what's likely at your location tonight.

July: full summer mix

Midsummer brings the broadest variety. Recent July records are led by the yellow-striped armyworm moth (Spodoptera ornithogalli) and the Ailanthus webworm moth (Atteva punctella), a small orange-and-white day-flier tied to the invasive tree-of-heaven. You'll also find the underwing Catocala lacrymosa, which hides cryptic forewings over brightly banded hindwings, the snout-like Plusiodonta compressipalpis, and the white-lined sphinx (Hyles lineata), a fast nectar-feeding hawk moth. Underwings are a great reason to try a bait line of fermented sugar in addition to a light.

May and September: the shoulder seasons

Spring leans toward the white-lined sphinx (Hyles lineata) again, joined by the eastern tent caterpillar moth (Malacosoma americana) and the dark Melipotis indomita. By September the emphasis shifts to agricultural noctuids: the corn earworm moth (Helicoverpa zea), the garden webworm moth (Achyra rantalis), and the green cloverworm moth (Hypena scabra), with Hyles lineata still on the wing into fall.

Local mothing tips

• Oklahoma summers are hot and the best activity comes on warm, still, humid nights, especially around a new moon.
• UV or mercury-vapor light outperforms white LED bulbs; moths respond most strongly to short-wavelength light.
• For underwings (Catocala), paint a sugar-bait mixture on tree trunks at dusk and check it with a headlamp after dark.
• New to this? See our beginner's guide and the breakdown of what makes a good night for moths.

See tonight's list

For the specific moths likely at your address tonight plus a good-mothing-night score, run the tool or open the state index to compare with neighbors like Kansas and Texas.