How to Identify Moth Families

There are approximately 250,000 different species of moths, with 11,000 of those species in North America alone. New species are still being discovered, so identifying a type of moth can be confusing. Moths come in almost every color and size, ranging from the atlas moth, which has a wingspan of 10 to 12 inches, to the neptuculid moth, with a mere wingspan of 0.1 inches. The wing structure of moths within a family are usually similar, so it can be easier to first identify a moth's family before trying to find its type.

Things You'll Need

  • Ruler
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Instructions

    • 1

      Have the moth or a picture of the moth close by for easy identification. There are several websites and books available for pictorial moth identification, so have one open for help identifying your moth.

    • 2

      Note the wing type of the moth. Some moth wings fold back when the moth is landed, while others spread flat or taper down. Most moths within a family have wings that rest the same way, so use the wings as a guide for spotting the family your moth belongs to.

    • 3

      Note the region the moth was found in. If you have trouble finding a moth by its wing structure, refer to the index of your identification resource. Most references list their moths by region for easier identification, so look through pictures of moths native to the region where you found the moth.

    • 4

      Submit a photo to an online resource if you cannot identify the moth or the family it belongs to. Alternatively, visit an entomological museum for assistance in identification.