Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Crambus agitatellus Clemens, 1860
(1)
Crambus carolinellus Haimbach, 1915
(2),
(3)
Crambus alboclavellus Zeller, 1863
(3) Identification
Adult: forewing with broad white stripe extending two-thirds distance along costa, tapered at both ends and sometimes bisected by a faint yellowish stripe [but not a prominent brownish-yellow stripe]; 4 or 5 double black lines extend from end of white stripe to subterminal line, which is chevron-shaped and yellowish-orange; terminal line thin, black, continuous near costa but breaking into separate black dots toward inner margin; hindwing pale gray or brown and mostly unmarked
individuals having heavier and/or more extensive black lines and shading have been treated as the species
C. alboclavellus (White-clubbed Grass-veneer) by some sources, but these darkly-marked specimens are considered within the normal range of color variation in this species, according to both All-Leps and John Heppner at the
U. of Florida, who list
alboclavellus as a synonym of
agitatellus
Range
eastern two-thirds of US and southeastern Canada
Season
adults fly from June to August
Food
larvae feed on grasses and other low plants
See Also
Crambus saltuellus is very similar but has a prominent brownish-yellow stripe bisecting the white stripe on the forewing, and has 2 or 3 additional black lines near inner margin extending from ST line toward base
Print References
Clemens, B., 1860. Contributions to American lepidopterology - No. 5.
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 12:
203.
(1)
Haimbach, F. 1915: New Heterocera (Lep.).
Entomological news, and proceedings of the Entomological Section of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 26:
324,
pl. XII fig. 8. (
Crambus carolinellus)
Zeller, P. C. 1863: Chilonidarum et Crambidarum genera et species. – Wiegandt & Hempel, Meseritz & Berlin.
19. (
Crambus alboclavellus)
Internet References
live adult image (Lynn Scott, Ontario)
pinned adult image (David Smith, Furman U. South Carolina)