Serpentine Webworm Moth
Common NameSerpentine Webworm Moth
Scientific NameHerpetogramma pertextalis
FamilyCrambidae
SubfamilySpilomelinae
Wingspan (mm)24
Primary Colorsbrown, tan, dark brown
HabitatOpen woodlands, fields, gardens, disturbed areas
Geographic RangeEastern North America, from Canada to Florida and west to Texas
Host Plantsplantain, clover, various herbaceous plants
Flight PeriodApril to October (multiple broods)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are known as webworms, feeding on a variety of herbaceous plants within silken webs. Pupation occurs in a cocoon, and the species typically has multiple generations per year.
Identification TipsKey features include the mottled brown forewings with their characteristic irregular dark lines and a few prominent pale spots. The overall cryptic coloration helps it blend into its environment.
Description
A small, cryptically colored moth with mottled brown forewings featuring irregular dark lines and a few distinct pale spots. The hindwings are paler with faint markings, and the body is slender, matching the wing coloration.
