Miller Moth (often synonymous with Army Cutworm moth)
Scientific Name: Euxoa auxiliaris (most common species referred to as Miller Moth)
Order & Family: Lepidoptera: Noctuidae
Size: Wingspan typically ranges from 1.5 to 2 inches (38–51 mm).
Natural Habitat
Found in a wide range of environments including grasslands, agricultural fields, and mountainous regions, often seeking shelter in homes, garages, and cars during migration.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae (cutworms) feed on various crops and garden plants (wheat, alfalfa, vegetables). Adult moths feed on the nectar of flowering plants.
Behavior Patterns
Known for mass migrations from plains to mountains in late spring/early summer. They are attracted to light and often enter human dwellings seeking cool, dark crevices during the day. Their flight is often erratic.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Larvae can be agricultural pests. Adults are nuisance pests in homes due to their large numbers and the fact that they can stain fabrics when crushed (they release a reddish fluid). Benefits: Important pollinators and a critical food source for birds, bats, and grizzly bears.
Identified on: 2/20/2026