Why are owlet moths and measuring worm moths found in many regions of the world?

Owlet moths (family Noctuidae) and measuring worm moths (family Geometridae) are found in many regions of the world because they are dominant, highly successful elements of the global insect fauna.1

Their widespread distribution is supported by several factors:

• Ecological Success: Both families are large and diverse, allowing them to thrive in nearly every environment, from deserts and mountaintops to marshes and rainforests.1
• Adaptability: These moths have evolved to exploit a vast array of resources. Owlet moths, for example, utilize nearly every type of plant material as food, including foliage, flowers, fruits, stems, and roots.2
• Migration: Many species are capable of long-distance movement. Some owlet moths seasonally invade temperate areas from the tropics, and migratory behaviors—often aided by the selection of favorable wind currents—allow these insects to extend their range and colonize new regions.34

While many lepidopterans are restricted to specific ecological niches, the broad food habits and high adaptability of these specific families have enabled them to become established on every continent except Antarctica.1