Alfalfa Leaf Tier
Common NameAlfalfa Leaf Tier
Scientific NameLoxostege commixtalis
FamilyCrambidae
SubfamilySpilomelinae
Wingspan (mm)22
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorstan, brown, dark brown
HabitatOpen fields, agricultural areas, meadows, prairies
Geographic RangeNorth America (widespread across Canada and the United States)
Host Plantsalfalfa, clover, sweetclover, various legumes
Flight PeriodMay to October (multiple broods)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are leaf tiers, rolling or tying leaves of host plants together with silk for shelter while feeding. Pupation occurs in a silken cocoon, often in the soil or leaf litter, with multiple generations per year.
Identification TipsKey features include the prominent, upturned labial palps (snout) and the slender body. The cryptic brownish forewings with dark longitudinal streaks are also distinctive, especially when found in fields of alfalfa or clover.
Description
A small, slender moth characterized by its prominent, upturned snout. Its forewings are a dull yellowish-brown to tan, marked with darker brown or blackish longitudinal streaks and a somewhat mottled pattern.
