Moths in Washington: What's Flying Tonight

In Washington, summer nights bring conifer-forest specialists like the Silver-spotted Tiger Moth (Lophocampa argentata) and geometers such as Macaria signaria and the Sulphur-tinged Bell (Hemithea aestivaria), often alongside the introduced Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba). Spring leans toward tent caterpillar and lappet moths, while fall fills with loopers like the Hemlock Looper (Lambdina fiscellaria) 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 Washington right now

From the wet west-side conifer forests to the dry shrub-steppe east of the Cascades, Washington has a distinctly Pacific Northwest moth fauna. In July, conifer feeders and geometers lead the way. The Silver-spotted Tiger Moth (Lophocampa argentata) is a handsome brown tiger moth whose caterpillars feed on Douglas-fir and other conifers. Sharing the sheet are the geometers Macaria signaria, the small green Sulphur-tinged Bell (Hemithea aestivaria), the Single-dotted Wave (Idaea dimidiata), and Panthea virginarius, plus the Western Tent Caterpillar Moth (Malacosoma californica) and the introduced Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba).

Spring vs fall moths

In May, the look is earthier: the Lappet Moth (Phyllodesma americana), the Western Tent Caterpillar Moth (Malacosoma californica), the Silver-spotted Tiger Moth (Lophocampa argentata), the fairy moth Adela septentrionella, and the carpet moth Perizoma costiguttata. By September, the forest loopers and underwings dominate: the Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) again, Nepytia phantasmaria, the Hemlock Looper (Lambdina fiscellaria), Neoalcis californiaria, and the Isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrharctia isabella), whose larva is the familiar woolly bear. The seasonal arc here: July is tiger-moth-and-geometer season, while September is looper-and-underwing season.

Local mothing tips

• West-side nights are often damp and cool, so target warm, calm, overcast evenings with little moon. See what makes a good night for moths.
• A UV or mercury-vapor light on a white sheet beats a white LED porch bulb. Moths come to short-wavelength light because it disrupts their flight orientation, not because they seek it out.
• The Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) is an introduced European species now common statewide, a useful one to learn early.
• New to mothing? Start with mothing for beginners.

See tonight's Washington 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 Washington spot, browse the full state index, or compare with a neighbor like Oregon. National Moth Week runs July 18 to 26, 2026.