Vagabond Crambus - Hodges#5403
Agriphila vulgivagellus
This record describes Agriphila vulgivagellus (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: head with long hairy snout; forewing dull yellowish with brown speckling between veins, giving streaked appearance to wing; no AM, PM, or ST lines; terminal line composed of seven black dots; fringe gold or bronze but may look black at certain angles and/or in certain light. Larvae are a serious agricultural pest in some areas.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Crambinae
- Tribe
- Crambini
- Genus
- Agriphila
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Grasslands, fields, gardens; adults are attracted to light.
Geographic Range
Quebec and New England to Florida, west to Texas, north to Alberta.
Seasonal Activity
Univoltine. On Block Island , RI, adults are extremely common in grassy areas but with a very short flight almost entirely from mid-September to early October.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on grass, wheat, rye, and other grains. [Fernald 1896]
Life History
One generation per year; overwinters as an immature larva. PDF of life cycle with photos of larvae, behavior and habitat - Colorado State U
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Agriphila vulgivagellus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Vagabond Crambus - Hodges#5403 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , Tony-2 , Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor , Kyhl Austin , Blocky
Frequently Asked Questions About Vagabond Crambus - Hodges#5403
What is Vagabond Crambus - Hodges#5403?
Vagabond Crambus - Hodges#5403 (Agriphila vulgivagellus) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Vagabond Crambus - Hodges#5403?
Wingspan 20-39 mm.
How do you identify Vagabond Crambus - Hodges#5403?
Adult: head with long hairy snout; forewing dull yellowish with brown speckling between veins, giving streaked appearance to wing; no AM, PM, or ST lines; terminal line composed of seven black dots; fringe gold or bronze but may look black at certain angles and/or in certain light.
Where is Vagabond Crambus - Hodges#5403 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Grasslands, fields, gardens; adults are attracted to light. |
| Range | Quebec and New England to Florida, west to Texas, north to Alberta. |
What does Vagabond Crambus - Hodges#5403 eat?
The diet of the Vagabond Crambus - Hodges#5403 includes Larvae feed on grass, wheat, rye, and other grains. [Fernald 1896].
When is Vagabond Crambus - Hodges#5403 active?
Vagabond Crambus - Hodges#5403: seasonal activity - Univoltine. On Block Island , RI, adults are extremely common in grassy areas but with a very short flight almost entirely from mid-September to early October..
What is the life cycle of a Vagabond Crambus - Hodges#5403?
One generation per year; overwinters as an immature larva. PDF of life cycle with photos of larvae, behavior and habitat - Colorado State U