vagabond crambus

(Agriphila vulgivagellus)

vagabond crambus
Photo by Alfredo Colon
  Hodges #

5403

 
 
Conservation Status
  IUCN Red List

not listed

     
  NatureServe

NNR - Unranked

SNR - Unranked

     
  Minnesota

not listed

     
           
 
Description
 
 

Vagabond crambus is a medium-sized moth but one of the largest grass veneers. It occurs across the United States and southern Canada. It is common in Minnesota. Adults are found in grasslands, fields, and gardens. Larvae feed in the spring on fast-growing grasses and grains, including wheat and rye. They are not considered serious pests.

Adults are 1116 (18 mm) in length and have a wingspan of ¾ to 1916 (20 to 39 mm).

The forewings are pale tan. They are sparsely to densely peppered with dark scales between the veins creating streaky patterns. There are no dark lines crossing the wing. The outer margin has seven black dots, one at the end of each vein. The fringe is variable. It may be gray or almost black, and often has some white. The apparent color may be affected by the angle of the light.

The antennae are slender and thread-like. The finger-like sensory organs (palps) attached to the mouth are very long and densely hairy. They are projected forward, appearing like a fuzzy snout.

The caterpillar ¾ to 1 long. It is green to brown with dark spots, coarse hairs, and a brown head.

 
     
 

Size

 
 

Total length: 1116 (18 mm)

Wingspan: ¾ to 1916 (20 to 39 mm)

 
     
 

Similar Species

 
     
     
 
Habitat
 
 

Grasslands, fields, and gardens

 
     
 
Biology
 
 

Season

 
 

One generation per year: August to October

 
     
 

Behavior

 
 

Adults rest with their wings held tight to the body, forming a tubular shape. They are active at night and will come to lights.

 
     
 

Life Cycle

 
 

Larvae overwinter

 
     
 

Larva Hosts

 
 

Grasses and grains, including wheat and rye

 
     
 

Adult Food

 
 

 

 
     
 
Distribution
 
 

Distribution Map

 

Sources

24, 27, 29, 30, 72, 75, 82.

 
  12/15/2020      
         
 

Occurrence

 
 

Common in Minnesota

 
         
 
Taxonomy
 
 

Order

Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths)  
 

Superfamily

Pyraloidea (pyralid and crambid snout moths)  
 

Family

Crambidae (crambid snout moths)  
 

Subfamily

Crambinae (grass-veneers and allies)  
 

Tribe

Crambini (grass-veneers)  
 

Genus

Agriphila  
       
 

Synonyms

 
 

 

 
       
 

Common Names

 
 

vagabond crambus

vagabond sod webworm (larva)

vagabond sod webworm moth (adult)

 
       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glossary

Palp

Short for pedipalp. A segmented, finger-like process of an arthropod; one is attached to each maxilla and two are attached to the labium. They function as sense organs in spiders and insects, and as weapons in scorpions. Plural: palpi or palps.

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
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Alfredo Colon

 
    vagabond crambus      
           
 
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Other Videos
 
  Vagabon Crambus Moth (Crambidae: Agriphila vulgivagellus?) Lateral View
Carl Barrentine
 
   
 
About

Sep 9, 2011

Photographed at Grand Forks, North Dakota (07 September 2011).

 
       

 

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  Alfredo Colon
8/13/2019

Location: Woodbury, MN

vagabond crambus  
           
 
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Created: 12/15/2020

Last Updated:

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