Moths in Oregon: What's Flying Tonight

Oregon's moths span coast, valley, and high desert. In July you'll find the day-flying cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae), the Pandora moth (Coloradia pandora), the red-shouldered ctenucha (Ctenucha rubroscapus), and the silver-spotted tiger moth (Lophocampa argentata). May centers on that same cinnabar moth and silver-spotted tiger moth plus the western tent caterpillar moth (Malacosoma californica), while September brings the Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella) and the introduced large yellow underwing (Noctua pronuba). Run the live tool for tonight's list at your exact location.

What's flying in Oregon right now

Oregon's geography, from wet coastal forest to dry eastern high desert, gives it an unusually varied moth fauna. Because what's flying depends on month and place, the live prediction tool is the quickest way to see tonight's likely species near you.

July: conifer and meadow species

Midsummer is the peak. July records are led by the cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae), a striking red-and-black day-flier introduced to control invasive tansy ragwort, alongside the Pandora moth (Coloradia pandora), a large pine-feeding silk moth, the red-shouldered ctenucha (Ctenucha rubroscapus), and the silver-spotted tiger moth (Lophocampa argentata), whose caterpillars feed on conifers. Like other giant silk moths, the adult Pandora moth has no functional mouthparts and does not feed, living only a week or two to mate.

May and September: the shoulder seasons

Spring features the cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae) and silver-spotted tiger moth (Lophocampa argentata) again, plus the western tent caterpillar moth (Malacosoma californica). By September the season turns to the Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella), whose woollybear caterpillar is a familiar fall sight, and the large yellow underwing (Noctua pronuba), a European species now widespread across the Pacific Northwest.

Local mothing tips

• Coastal nights can be cool and damp; an evening with light wind and temperatures holding up after dark is your best bet west of the Cascades.
• East of the mountains, target warm, calm desert nights for sphinx moths and silk moths.
• UV or mercury-vapor light draws far more species than white LED; moths respond most strongly to short-wavelength light, which disrupts their flight orientation and brings them to your sheet.
• New to this? Start with our beginner's guide and read what makes a good night for moths.

See tonight's list

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