California Cloverworm Moth
Common NameCalifornia Cloverworm Moth
Scientific NameHypena californica
FamilyErebidae
SubfamilyHypeninae
Wingspan (mm)25
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, grey
HabitatOpen woodlands, chaparral, grasslands, areas with host plants
Geographic RangeWestern North America, including California, north to British Columbia and east to Arizona
Host Plantsclover, alfalfa, various legumes
Flight PeriodMarch to October (multiple broods)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLike most moths, it undergoes complete metamorphosis; eggs hatch into larvae (caterpillars) which feed on host plants, then pupate, and finally emerge as adult moths.
Identification TipsThe most distinctive feature for identification is the prominent, upturned, snout-like labial palps. The cryptic brown and grey forewings with faint lines also help, but the palps are key for *Hypena* species.
Description
This is a small to medium-sized moth with a cryptic mottled brown and grey pattern on its forewings, featuring faint darker transverse lines. It is characterized by its distinctive, long, upturned labial palps that resemble a snout.
