Leach's Grass-veneer - Hodges#5357
Crambus leachellus
This record describes Crambus leachellus (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing brown with broad silvery-white stripe running from base to subterminal area, tapered at both ends (i.e. spindle-shaped); width of stripe at base is greater than distance between stripe and costa; subterminal line curves around distal end of white stripe; short dark diagonal dash at apex; subterminal area paler than median area, usually with five black dashes; terminal line black; fringe off-white
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Crambinae
- Tribe
- Crambini
- Genus
- Crambus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
lawns, meadows, waste places
Geographic Range
Ontario and Maryland to Florida, west to California and Oregon
Seasonal Activity
Univoltine on Block Island , RI, with adults flying from late August into October. A single adult record from 6 June 2019 represents a rare spring emergence, which Hugh McGuinness has observed on Long Island as well.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on grasses (Poaceae)
Life History
overwinters as a partially-grown larva in the grass; feeding resumes in early spring (usually April); larvae hide in the grass or upper layer of soil during the day, and feeding occurs mainly at night; larvae often construct silken tunnels to hide in during the day; when feeding is completed, larvae pupate in the grass and emerge as adults in about 7-10 days; adults hide in the grass and shrubbery during the day; in the evening, females fly low over the grass and scatter small white eggs which hatch in about a week; one generation is completed in 4-6 weeks, with 2-4 generations per year [adapted from text by Jay Karren, Utah State U.]
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Crambus leachellus. 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 Leach's Grass-veneer - Hodges#5357 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Chuck Entz , Maury Heiman , James Bailey , Blocky
Frequently Asked Questions About Leach's Grass-veneer - Hodges#5357
What is Leach's Grass-veneer - Hodges#5357?
Leach's Grass-veneer - Hodges#5357 (Crambus leachellus) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Leach's Grass-veneer - Hodges#5357?
wingspan about 25 mm, based on photo of Jim Vargo's specimen at MPG
How do you identify Leach's Grass-veneer - Hodges#5357?
Adult: forewing brown with broad silvery-white stripe running from base to subterminal area, tapered at both ends (i.e. spindle-shaped); width of stripe at base is greater than distance between stripe and costa; subterminal line curves around distal end of white stripe; short dark diagonal dash at apex; subterminal area paler than median area, usually with five black dashes; terminal line black; fringe off-white
Where is Leach's Grass-veneer - Hodges#5357 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | lawns, meadows, waste places |
| Range | Ontario and Maryland to Florida, west to California and Oregon |
What does Leach's Grass-veneer - Hodges#5357 eat?
The diet of the Leach's Grass-veneer - Hodges#5357 includes larvae feed on grasses (Poaceae).
When is Leach's Grass-veneer - Hodges#5357 active?
Leach's Grass-veneer - Hodges#5357: seasonal activity - Univoltine on Block Island , RI, with adults flying from late August into October. A single adult record from 6 June 2019 represents a rare spring emergence, which Hugh McGuinness has observed on Long Island as well..
What is the life cycle of a Leach's Grass-veneer - Hodges#5357?
overwinters as a partially-grown larva in the grass; feeding resumes in early spring (usually April); larvae hide in the grass or upper layer of soil during the day, and feeding occurs mainly at night; larvae often construct silken tunnels to hide in during the day; when feeding is completed, larvae pupate in the grass and emerge as adults in about 7-10 days; adults hide in the grass and shrubbery during the day; in the evening, females fly low over the grass and scatter small white eggs which hatch in about a week; one generation is completed in 4-6 weeks, with 2-4 generations per year [adapted from text by Jay Karren, Utah State U.]