This large moth family has many thousands of different species worldwide. Some of North America’s most common caterpillar species including Owlets, Daggers, Cutworms, Armyworms, Loopers and Foresters belong to the Noctuidae family.
The colour, size, amount of hairs (setae), number of legs, foodplants and life cycle of many noctuid caterpillars varies according to species. The noctuidae family has been divided into several much smaller sub families to include those species that share common characteristics.
Following reclassification a sub family Erebidae, including the Arctiidae and Lymantriidae families, will become part of the Noctuidae family.
Dagger moth caterpillars
Prominents – Notodontidae
Armyworms, Cutworms and Loopers
Amongst these other noctuid caterpillars are some considered pests to crops such as the Armyworms, Cutworms and Loopers.
Other North American caterpillar galleries
Large caterpillars of North America
Hairy caterpillars of North America
Stinging caterpillars of North America
Loopers, Inchworms and Spanworms of North America
Other insects caterpillars of North America