Cotton Web Spinner
Common NameCotton Web Spinner
Scientific NameLoxostege similalis
FamilyCrambidae
SubfamilySpilomelinae
Wingspan (mm)22
Primary Colorsbrown, gray, dark brown
HabitatAgricultural fields, gardens, grasslands, disturbed areas
Geographic RangeWidespread in North America, parts of Europe and Asia
Host Plantscotton, alfalfa, corn, beans, pigweed, lamb's quarters
Flight PeriodMay to October (multiple generations)
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are greenish-yellow with dark spots, spinning silken webs over host plant foliage where they feed gregariously. Pupation occurs in a silken cocoon in the soil or leaf litter, with multiple generations per year.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive triangular resting posture and the mottled brown/gray forewing pattern. Prominent, forward-pointing labial palps are also a key feature. Larvae are recognized by their web-spinning behavior on host plants.
Description
A small, cryptically colored moth with mottled brown, gray, and dark brown forewings, often featuring indistinct spots or streaks. When at rest, its wings are held in a triangular shape.
