Although many people think of moths as the butterflies' dull-colored nocturnal cousins, the truth is far more colorful and complex. Panamainsects.org focuses on the moths in one geographically circumscribed place, and hints at the group's enormous diversity elsewhere on the planet.

 

The specimens on this site are organized in accordance with the Barcode of Life Data Systems website. Whenever possible, every species page on this site includes a link to the same species on the BoLD Systems site.  

I chose BoLD Systems for determinations because the site uses DNA sequencing of specimens submitted by workers around the world. Accordingly, the material on Panamainsects.org coheres with current taxonomies that place the subfamilies Rivulinae, Anobinae, Hypeninae, Lymantriinae, Herminiinae, Calpinae, and several others in the very large family Erebidae, a move supported by recent phylogentic analysis by Zahiri, et al. I will do my best to update the site to reflect ongoing adjustments. 

 

Access galleries by clicking on an image. Each species in the galleries has its own page with field notes and collecting data -- see a sample of a species page here.

 

As always, I welcome any and all inquiries, especially help with identification. Email me at identification@panamainsects.org.

 

Please click on any image or link to get started.