Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio xuthus)
Blackburn’s Blue (Udara blackburni)
Large Orange Sulfur (Phoebis agarithe)
Cabbage Butterfly (Pieris rapae, aka Artogeia rapae)
Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanellae)

Pink-spotted Hawk Moth (Agrius cingulata)
Grey Hawk Moth (Psilogramma menephron)
Hummingbird Hawk Moth (Macroglossum pyrrhosticta)
The Black Witch (Ascalapha odorata)
Beet Webworm Moth (Spoladea recurvalis)
*Erechthias Moth (Erechthias simulans)
Bean Pod Borer (Maruca vitrata)
*Eudonia Moth (Eudonia sp.)
Autosticha Gelechid Moth (Autosticha pelodes) ?
*Grey Moth (Scopula personata) ?
Mexican Leafroller (Amorbia emigratella)
*Objurgatella Moth (Alucita objurgatella)
Green Garden Looper (Chrysodeixis eriosoma)
Banana Moth (Opogona sacchari)
Sweetpotato Vine Borer (Omphisa anastomosalis)
Lawn Armyworm (Spodoptera mauritia)
White-headed Monopis Moth (Monopis monachella)
Ereunetis Moth (Ereunetis minuscule)
Monkeypod Caterpillar Moth (Melipotis indomita)
Stultana Moth (Platynota stultana) ?
Guava Moth Caterpillar (Ophiusa disjungens)
*Crocidosema Moth (Crocidosema plebejana)
*Chedra Moth (Chedra microstigma)
*Silver Moth (Choropleca terpsichorella)
*Eudonia Moth (Eudonia sp.)
*Pterophorid Moth (Lantanophaga pusillidactyla)
*Copper Moth (Cryotophlebia illepida)
Tropical Meal Moth (Pyralis manihotalis)
Cotton Tipworm Moth (Crocidosema sp.)
Potato Moth (Stoeberhinus testaceus)
*Athetis Moth (Athetis thoracica)
*Small Brown Moth (Simplicia caeneusalis)
Koa Haole Moth (Macaria abydata)
*White-back Moth (Opogona perpuriella)
*Gold Body Moth (Hyposmocoma sp.)
*Hyposmocoma Moth (Hyposmocoma sp.)
*Decadarchis Moth (Decadarchis penicillata)
*Eudonia Moth (Bocana manifestalis)
Light Brown Apple Moth (Archips postvittana) ?
Tineid Moth (Decadarchis simulans)
Ilima Leafminer (Philodoria sp.)
*Fuzzy-back Moth (Hydroptila icona)
*Eupethesia Moth (Eupethesia monticolans)
*X-back Moth (Hyposmocoma sp.)
*Polydesma Moth (Polydesma boarmoides)
Cotton Looper (Anomis flava)
*Bocana Moth (Bocana manifestalis)
*Herpetogramma Moth (Herpetogramma licarcisalis)
*Eudona Moth (Eudonia micractias)
*Chionodes Moth (Chionodes discoocellella)

Tortricid Moth Caterpillar (Tortricidae sp) ?
European Corn Borer Caterpillar (Ostrinia nubilalis)
Florida Fern Moth Caterpillar (Callopistria floridensis)

Names preceded by an asterisk indicate common names that I have made up.

Insects: butterflies and moths

A monarch butterfly perched on green plant buds and leaves.
A butterfly resting on green leaves and yellow-green flowers.

Arrived in Hawaii from North America between  1841 and 1852.  It appeared in Hawaii following establishment of its primary host plant, the milkweed.

Monarch Butterfly

A yellow and black swallowtail butterfly perched on a small green plant.

This butterfly naturally occurs in Asia and was first recorded in Hawaii in 1971.  It is commonly seen on or near citrus trees which are its host plant.

Swallowtail Butterfly

A green butterfly perched on a yellow flower with green petals.
Zoomed-in microscopic view of a small moth with wings and antennae.

Blackburn’s Blue

This is an endemic species.  This is one of only two native Hawaiian butterflies.  It feeds on the flowers of Acacia trees.  The underside of the wings is iridescent green.

A yellow butterfly perched on a pink flower

Large Orange Sulfur

This species is found from Peru to US North America and now in Hawaii. So far it is found on Maui, Hawaii, and Oahu.

A white butterfly resting on purple flowers with greenery in the background.

Cabbage Butterfly

A native of Europe reportedly arrived in Hawaii in 1897. This species is considered a serious pest for all members of the cabbage family.

Orange butterfly with black spots resting on a plant stem in a green natural background.
A butterfly perched on an orange flower.

Gulf Fritillary (aka Passion Vine Butterfly)

A native of the Americas from the US south to Argentina. First recorded in Hawaii in 1977, probably introduced from California.

A close-up of a moth with black and pink markings on its body and wings resting on a textured surface.

First recorded in Hawaii in 1877.  Originally a neotropical species (but also found on Galapagos and Hawai'i) adults migrate north to Canada and south to Patagonia and the Falkland Islands

Pink-spotted Hawk Moth

Close-up of a moth with patterned gray and brown wings resting on a white surface.
Close-up of a green caterpillar on a leaf.

Grey Hawk Moth

Originates from the Oriental and Australian regions.  It is a relatively recently introduced species.

Grey Hawk Moth caterpillar stage.

A close-up of a hummingbird moth with brown and yellow markings against a white background.

Hummingbird Hawk Moth (aka Maile Pilau Hornworm)

Wing span is about 4.5 cm. An introduced species originally from Asia.

A large brown owl butterfly with eye patterns on its wings, held against green plants and leaves with a white ruler for size reference.

The Black Witch

Male. The largest moth in Hawaii.  Native to South and Central America.  First recorded in Hawaii in 1928.

A large brown butterfly with eye spots on its wings, resting on a mesh surface near a wooden wall.

Female. The largest moth in Hawaii.  Native to South and Central America.  First recorded in Hawaii in 1928.

A brown moth resting on a light-colored fabric surface.

Beet Webworm Moth

Close-up of a small brown and tan insect, possibly a cockroach, on a dark surface.
A close-up of a small moth with black, white, and gray markings on its wings, resting on a dark surface.

This is a non-native species

A close-up of a small moth with folded wings and long antennae on a white background.

Erechthias Moth

Ventral view. This is a species native to Hawaii.

Close-up of a moth pinned to a white surface with a pin through its thorax.

Bean Pod Borer

Close-up of a moth with black and white patterned wings resting on a white textured wall.

Eudonia Moth

A close-up of a moth with beige and black speckled wings resting on a dark blue surface.

This is a native species.

Autosticha Gelechid Moth

This moth is 7 mm long.

A moth with golden and gray patterned wings against a dark background.

Body length = 8 mm.

Per Frank Howarth of the Bishop Museum “It looks like and is probably the species ofScopulathat arrived in Hawaii about 2 years ago and now locally common in the lowlands.Scopulais a large genus occurring in both N. America and Eurasia. Hawaii specimens resembleS. personata(Prout) from SE U.S., but there are many look-alikes.”

Grey Moth

A dead fish with a wire sticking out of its mouth on a blue background.
Close-up of a light brown moth resting on a white wall.

This moth is 1 cm long. The non-native Mexican leafroller, Amorbia emigratella, is the only known species of Amorbia in Hawaii. First discovered and described from Hawaii, but thought to be native to Mexico and Central America. 

Mexican Leaf-roller

Close-up of a small moth with patterned wings on a dark surface.

Per David Preston & Frank Howarth of the Bishop Museum “This is Alucita objurgatella Swezey, O.H.1927 in the Alucitidae. The larvae feed on the fruits, flowers and seeds of alahe'e, scientifically known as Psydrax odorata. The moth occurs wherever its host occurs and is considered introduced to Hawai'i though its host is indigenous. The moth could also be indigenous.

Objurgatella Moth

A close-up photo of a dead moth pinned to a white surface with a pin through its thorax.

Green Garden Looper
Moth

Close-up of a green caterpillar on a white surface.

Caterpillar. 2 cm long.
The name "Green Garden Looper" reflects the caterpillar stage appearance. The green garden looper has a widespread distribution throughout Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South Europe and the Pacific. This pest was first found in Hawaii on Oahu in 1877, and is now present on all islands.

Close-up of a brown moth on a white wall near a black vent.

Banana Moth

Dorsal view.  Length = 12 mm.

A moth resting on a white surface next to a ruler.

Dorsal view.

Sweet Potato Vine Borer

Close-up of a moth on a white surface.

Ventral view.

A moth pinned to a white display background.

Lawn Armyworm
Body length of this moth is 1.6 cm.

Close-up of a small, dark-colored insect with a segmented body, antennae, and tiny legs, against a plain background.

White-headed Monopis Moth
Side view.

Close-up of a tiny insect with a dark, elongated body and long, thin antennae on a plain background.
Close-up of a small moth on a plain surface.

Dorsal view.  Moth is 7 mm long.

Ereunetis Moth
Dorsal view.

Close-up of a small moth with long antennae on a light background.

Ventral view. 
This moth is 4 mm long.

A brown and cream colored moth on a gray fabric surface

Monkeypod Caterpillar Moth (aka Kiawe Caterpillar Moth)
This moth is 2 cm long.

Close-up of a small moth with brown, gray, and tan patterned wings, resting on a blue surface.
Close-up of a small moth with patterned wings and a long antennae resting on a surface.

Stultana Moth ?
Moth is 7 mm long.

Close-up of a small, brown larva or caterpillar on a paper towel next to a ruler for scale.
Close-up of a brown moth with slightly opened wings resting on a light-colored surface.

Guava Moth Caterpillar This picture of the moth is from the web.

Per David Preston of the Bishop Museum “This is Catocalinae: Noctuidae: Ophiusa disjungens (Walker, 1858). Called the guava moth but it also feeds on other Myrtaceae including gum trees.”

Close-up of a moth with brown and gray wings on a dark surface.

Crocidosema Moth
ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum.

Close-up of a moth resting on a surface.

Chedra Moth
This moth is 6 mm long. ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum.

A close-up view of a small, metallic-colored moth on a dark background.

Silver Moth
This moth is 4 mm long. ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum

Close-up of a moth with black and yellow markings on its wings against a plain background.

Eudonia Moth
ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum. An endemic species.

Close-up of a moth with its wings spread, resting on a light-colored surface.

Pterophorid Moth
Body length = 5mm. ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum. A purposely introduced species.

Close-up of a small moth with brown and gray patterned wings resting on a dark surface.

Copper Moth
Dorsal view, specimen 1.

Close-up of a small brown moth resting on a blue surface.

Side view specimen 2. This moth is about 8 mm long.
ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum.

Close-up of a moth resting on a blue fabric, showing detailed wing patterns.

Tropical Meal Moth
Moth body length = 1 cm.
ID by F.G. Howarth of the Bishop Museum.

Close-up of a small moth with brown, gray, and white wings and long antennae resting on a dark blue surface.

Cotton Tipworm Moth
Dorsal view. Length = 6mm.
ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum.

Close-up of a moth perched on a blue fabric surface.

Potato Moth
ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum.

Close-up of a pinned brown moth on a white background.

Athetis Moth
ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum.

Close-up of a brown moth resting on a white surface with a ruler showing its size, approximately 2 centimeters.

Small Brown Moth
ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum.

A moth resting on a white surface with a black ruler beneath it, showing it is about 1 inch long.
Close-up of a small moth next to a measurement scale on a white background.

Koa Haole Moth
ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum.

Close-up of a small black and white insect with long antennae on a dark blue background.

White-back Moth
This moth is 6 mm long.
ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum

A dead insect and a dead fish floating in water.

Gold Body Moth

These moths are 3 mm long. An endemic species..
ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum.

Close-up of a small dead insect on a dark surface.

Hyposmocoma Moth
ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum.
Different species from the Gold Body Moth but same genus. This is an endemic species.

A small, elongated fish with a mottled pattern, lying on a solid blue background.

Decadarchis Moth
ID by F.G. Howarth of the Bishop Museum.

A brown moth with white spots on its wings resting on a white surface next to a black textured object.

Eudonia Moth(2)
ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum. This is an endemic moth.

Close-up of a small moth with yellow and black patterned wings

Eudonia Moth(3)
This moth is 8 mm long. ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum.

A small beige moth with brown markings resting on a light grey surface near a ruler.

Light Brown Apple Moth
ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum.

Close-up of a small, shiny, metallic-colored insect with thin wings and antennae on a blue background.
Close-up of a small metallic insect with fuzzy head and black eyes on a plain background

Tineid Moth
Specimen 2, close-up of head.
ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum

Close-up of a small moth with brown and tan patterned wings and two long antennae, resting on a dark surface.
Close-up of a small, brown, furry insect with antennae on a gray surface.

Ilima Leafminer
ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum. This is an endemic species.

Fuzzy-back Moth
Dorsal view.

Close-up of a small insect with wings, multiple legs, and a dark head on a gray background.

Side view. This moth is 3 mm long. ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum.

 

A moth with brown and black patterned wings resting on a plain white wall.

Eupethesia Moth
Wingspan 3 cm.
ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum.

Close-up of a small moth with black and white markings on its wings.

X-back Moth
Dorsal view. This moth is 6 mm long.

Close-up of a small insect with black and yellow mottled markings, resting on a surface.

Closer side view.
ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum.

Polydesma Moth
ID by Willian Haines of the University of Hawaii.

A camouflaged moth with brown and gray patterned wings resting on a white surface beside a black ruler to show size.
A close-up of a moth with beige and brown wings, perched on a gray surface.

Cotton Looper
ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum.

Close-up of a brown moth pinned to a white surface with a pin through its thorax.

Bocana Moth
ID by William Haines of the University of Hawaii.

A pinned moth specimen displayed on foam with two metal pins holding it in place.

Herpetogramma Moth
ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum

Close-up of a small moth with gray and black patterned wings resting on a surface.

Eudonia Moth (2)
This moth is 7 mm long.
ID by David Preston of the Bishop Museum.

Close-up of a small moth with elongated wings on a blue background.

Chionodes Moth

Close-up of a green caterpillar crawling on a black surface.

Tortricid Moth Caterpillar
This green caterpillar is 9mm long.  They will do the bungee-jump, i.e., drop with a silken thread, when disturbed.

A close-up of a caterpillar with black spots and small spikes on its body, lying on a dark surface.

European Corn Borer Caterpillar
This caterpillar is about 2 cm long and was found on an ear of “sweet Ewa corn” purchased at sustainability fair.

Green caterpillar with black markings resting on a person's finger.
Green caterpillar on a human finger.

Florida Fern Moth Caterpillar
This caterpillar is about 3 cm long. Found on 1-6-14.