Species Microcrambus elegans - Elegant Grass-veneer - Hodges#5420

5420

described in 1860 by Clemens, who originally placed it in genus Crambus

the most common and widespread species in this genus

wingspan 12-15 mm

Adult: forewing silvery-white, variably shaded with brown, heaviest in upper PM area; when viewed from above, the moth at rest appears to have a Halloween mask on its forewings, with two triangular upward-pointing "eyes" and a frowning or scowling down-curved "mouth" (this distinctive feature can be seen at a distance with the naked eye)

subterminal line sharp, even, parallel to outer margin; terminal line composed of 7 blackish dots; hindwing brownish-gray with wide fringe

Microcrambus croesus of Texas has a similar pattern but is much whiter, lacking much of the diffuse brown speckling on the FWs. The subterminal line tends to be a pair of obscure thin brown lines; the dark brown terminal line is usually continuous rather than appearing as a series of dots.

Ontario, Quebec, and Maine to Florida, west to Texas, north to Kansas and Illinois

fields, grassy areas; adults are crepuscular/nocturnal and come to light

Two or probably more generations on Block Island, RI, with adults recorded early June through late September.(1)

larvae feed on grasses (family Poaceae)

Life cycle images:

Mated pair; Eggs

live and pinned adult images by various photographers, plus common name reference (Moth Photographers Group)