In Utah, the moth you are most likely to meet on a summer night is the powerful White-lined Sphinx (Hyles lineata), often joined by the day-flying Police Car Moth (Gnophaela vermiculata) and big western hawk moths like Sphinx vashti and the Big Poplar Sphinx (Pachysphinx occidentalis). Spring and fall lean toward tent caterpillar moths, flower moths, and the woolly bear's adult, the Isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrharctia isabella). Enter your location and date in the live tool to see which moths are flying at your spot tonight.
What's flying in Utah right now
Utah's range of habitats, from Wasatch canyons to red-rock desert, gives it a distinctly western moth fauna. In July, the standout is the White-lined Sphinx (Hyles lineata), a strong-flying hawk moth that feeds at flowers and is one of the most reliable visitors to a desert light. Flying by day in mountain meadows is the boldly marked Police Car Moth (Gnophaela vermiculata), a black-and-white tiger moth. Big sphinx moths round out the summer: Sphinx vashti and the Big Poplar Sphinx (Pachysphinx occidentalis). You will also find the lichen moth Cisthene barnesii, the small tiger moth Virbia fragilis, the lappet moth Gloveria arizonensis, and the Spotted Tussock Moth (Lophocampa maculata).
Spring vs fall moths
The May list is built around the White-lined Sphinx again, but with a spring supporting cast: the Western Tent Caterpillar Moth (Malacosoma californica), the flower moth Schinia sanrafaeli, the cutworm Protogygia rufescens, and the geometer Plataea trilinearia. By September, the White-lined Sphinx is still going strong, now joined by the Isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrharctia isabella), whose larva is the familiar woolly bear, plus Arachnis citra, the lichen moth Lycomorpha grotei, and Plagiomimicus kathyae. The simple rule: the White-lined Sphinx anchors the whole warm season here, while the tent caterpillar moths peak in spring and the woolly bear's adult shows up in fall.
Local mothing tips
- Utah's dry, clear nights cool quickly, so pick a warm, calm evening with little moon. See what makes a good night for moths.
- A UV or mercury-vapor light over a white sheet far outperforms a white LED. Moths come to short-wavelength light because it disrupts their flight orientation.
- Desert and canyon washes after a summer rain can be excellent, especially for the White-lined Sphinx and other nectar feeders.
- New to the hobby? Start with mothing for beginners.
See tonight's Utah moths
This site does not identify a moth from a photo. It predicts the species most likely flying at your location tonight from open GBIF records. Run the live tool for your Utah spot, browse the full state index, or compare with a neighbor like Nevada. National Moth Week runs July 18 to 26, 2026.
Frequently asked
What moths are in Utah right now?In summer, the White-lined Sphinx (Hyles lineata) is the most likely, along with the day-flying Police Car Moth (Gnophaela vermiculata) and big sphinx moths like Sphinx vashti and the Big Poplar Sphinx (Pachysphinx occidentalis). Use the live tool for tonight's list.
What is the large hovering moth I see at flowers in Utah?That is almost certainly the White-lined Sphinx (Hyles lineata), a fast hawk moth that hovers and nectars at flowers from spring through fall. It is one of Utah's most common and recognizable moths.
Are there day-flying moths in Utah?Yes. The Police Car Moth (Gnophaela vermiculata), a black-and-white tiger moth, flies by day in mountain meadows, and the White-lined Sphinx is often active at dusk and in daylight at flowers.
What's the woolly bear caterpillar's moth in Utah?The woolly bear grows into the Isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrharctia isabella), which appears in Utah from late summer into fall. The adult is a soft orange-tan tiger moth.
Can this tool identify a moth from a photo?No. It predicts likely species by location and date from 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.