Meyrickella ruptellus
Common NameMeyrickella ruptellus
Scientific NameMeyrickella ruptellus
FamilyCrambidae
SubfamilyCrambinae
Wingspan (mm)20
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorsbrown, cream, white
HabitatGrasslands, open woodlands, suburban gardens
Geographic RangeAustralia (New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia)
Host Plantsvarious grasses (Poaceae), Paspalum dilatatum, Cynodon dactylon, Lolium perenne
Flight PeriodSpring to autumn, year-round in warmer regions
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are stem borers, feeding within the stems of various grasses. Pupation occurs in a silken cocoon, typically near the base of the host plant.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive pointed snout and the specific pattern of longitudinal brown and white/cream stripes on the forewings, often with a prominent white streak along the costa.
Description
A small, slender moth with a pointed snout formed by its labial palps. Its forewings are cryptically patterned with alternating longitudinal streaks of dark brown, light brown, and creamy white.
