Alfalfa Webworm - Hodges#5017
Loxostege cereralis
This record describes Loxostege cereralis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing whitish or pale gray with several longitudinal black and brown streaks; whitish or pale yellow patch in median area near costa; subterminal area yellow, shaped liked an almost-flat triangle; fringe dark brownish-gray; hindwing gray with darker shading along veins, fringe pale gray Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). Genitalia: Larva: body yellowish to dark green with broad light-colored stripe down back, and darker stripe parallel to light stripe
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Pyraustinae
- Tribe
- Pyraustini
- Genus
- Loxostege
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
fields, gardens, waste places
Geographic Range
Quebec and New York to Georgia, west to California, north to British Columbia. ( 3 ) , ( 4 ) , ( 5 ) also occurs in Mexico. Moth Photographers Group map
Seasonal Activity
Adults are most common from March to October.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on alfalfa and a variety of other crops and weed species
Life History
overwinters as a larva or pupa; adults emerge in spring; 2-20 eggs are laid in overlapping groups on underside of leaves of hostplant Images of eggs & larva - Wikipedia
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Loxostege cereralis. 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 Alfalfa Webworm - Hodges#5017 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Robin McLeod , Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Alfalfa Webworm - Hodges#5017
What is Alfalfa Webworm - Hodges#5017?
Alfalfa Webworm - Hodges#5017 (Loxostege cereralis) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Alfalfa Webworm - Hodges#5017?
Wingspan 30-34 mm
How do you identify Alfalfa Webworm - Hodges#5017?
Adult: forewing whitish or pale gray with several longitudinal black and brown streaks; whitish or pale yellow patch in median area near costa; subterminal area yellow, shaped liked an almost-flat triangle; fringe dark brownish-gray; hindwing gray with darker shading along veins, fringe pale gray Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). Genitalia: Larva: body yellowish to dark green with broad light-colored stripe down back, and darker stripe parallel to light stripe
Where is Alfalfa Webworm - Hodges#5017 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | fields, gardens, waste places |
| Range | Quebec and New York to Georgia, west to California, north to British Columbia. ( 3 ) , ( 4 ) , ( 5 ) also occurs in Mexico. Moth Photographers Group map |
What does Alfalfa Webworm - Hodges#5017 eat?
The diet of the Alfalfa Webworm - Hodges#5017 includes larvae feed on alfalfa and a variety of other crops and weed species.
When is Alfalfa Webworm - Hodges#5017 active?
Alfalfa Webworm - Hodges#5017: seasonal activity - Adults are most common from March to October..
What is the life cycle of a Alfalfa Webworm - Hodges#5017?
overwinters as a larva or pupa; adults emerge in spring; 2-20 eggs are laid in overlapping groups on underside of leaves of hostplant Images of eggs & larva - Wikipedia