changeable grass-veneer

not listed

NNR - Unranked

SNR - Unranked

not listed

Changeable grass-veneer is a small, narrow, crambid snout moth. It occurs in the United States and southern Canada east of the Great Plains and in Mexico. There are also scattered records of it in the southwest. It is common in the east, not common in Minnesota. Adults are active from June through August in grasslands, grassy woodlands, old fields, pastures, and lawns in residential neighborhoods. Larvae feed on a wide variety of grasses.

Adults are ½″ (12 mm) in length and have a wingspan of about ⅝″ (17 mm).

The forewings are gray or grayish-brown to brownish-orange or brownish-yellow. A broad, diffuse, grayish streak extends from the base for most of the length of the wing, terminating in the postmedial area. A dark yellowish-brown streak extends from the base along the leading edge (costal margin) toward the rear, usually fading out near the halfway point. The median and subterminal lines are jagged. A dark spot at the end of the median vein is part of the median line. The terminal line is represented by a row of black dots. There is a highly variable amount of dark brown to black speckling, often appearing as a long dark streak near the middle of the wing and shorter streaks toward the end.

The hindwings are gray or pale brownish-gray.

The antennae are long and thread-like. They are held straight back over the body when at rest. The finger-like sensory organs (palps) attached to the mouth are long and densely hairy. They are projected forward, appearing like a fuzzy snout.

Total length: ½″ (12 mm)

Wingspan: about ⅝″ (17 mm)

Grasslands, grassy woodlands, old fields, pastures, and lawns.

Two generations per year: June through August

Adults rest with their head down, the rear of their body and their wings elevated – the headstand position. They will come to lights at night.

Larvae feed at night.

A wide variety of grasses

Sources

4, 21, 24, 29, 30, 71, 75, 82.

Not common in Minnesota

Location: Albany, NY

Location: Philadelphia, PA