There are approximately 65 families of moths found in North America, or perhaps 70 if all recent suggestions for taxonomic changes are followed. Representatives of about 25 of them, mostly of the larger families, are shown here. They are a diverse and colorful group of animals.
 

These are very tiny micromoths, usually 5-7 mm in length and less than 1 mm in apparent body diameter when at rest. Think of something as small or smaller than a midge or mosquito. In most cases the larvae are leafminers that tunnel or "mine" between the outer layers of a leaf.
 

This is a diverse family of medium-sized moths (typically 6-15 mm in length). Larvae usually feed while concealed in webs of one kind or another (rolled leaves, for instance). Some feed on dead leaves, dead animal matter, or fungi. Promalactis suzukiella is a recently introduced species.
 

In this family of small micromoths we find the interesting habit, on the part of the larvae, of constructing protective cases in which they move about while feeding. These cases take on distinctive designs that may be reflected in common names given to the species.
 

This is an interesting family for a variety of reasons, not least of which is that its members are day-flying moths. Adults nectar at flowers and may be helpful in polination. Larvae bore into various parts of plant, often cultivated trees and crop plants, and may be an economic nuisance.
 

This is a large family of small moths (typically 6-12 mm in length) with representatives in almost all habitats. Many of those that have been given common names are known as Leaftiers, Leafrollers and so forth. Some are serious pests such as the apple Codling Moth.
 

Like the Tortricidae this is a group that exceeds 1,000 species found in diverse habitats throughout the continent. Some of its species are considered pests of agriculture and horticulture. Others have been introduced to North America as biological control agents of weedy plants.
 

Plume Moths are fun to observe. It takes some convincing of yourself to believe they are actually moths. The wings are deeply lobed and well illustrated in Jim Vargo's spread specimen. In real life it is difficult to see the hindwing. Sometimes you see just one lobe looking like a haltere.
 

One of the largest moth families, the Geometridae are found wherever moths are found in North America. For the most part they spread their wings fully when at rest. Colors run the gamut from drab to spectacular. There are many instances in this family of flightless females.
 

In this family we find our largest resident moths of North America and some of our most colorful ones.
 

These are rapid flyers that nectar at flowers. Some are crepuscular and some diurnal. Most are readily attracted to lights. They are often seen in the floodlights high above athletic fields, and sometimes land on my driveway where I must be careful not to step on them as they snooze away.
 

I may get some argument about "most colorful family," but that's how impressed I am by these moths. Many of them are day flyers found nectaring at wild and garden flowers. Many of them are also attracted to lights. Diversity in size, color and pattern is rampant in this family.
 

With more than 3,000 species in North America it is difficult to select a few examples to be representative of the whole. Modern taxonomists have recently placed some species in a new family, the Nolidae, and there are further such proposals under consideration.