Crambus agitatellus

The combination of the broad white forewing stripe with converging black lines and yellow-orange terminal line distinguishes this species from other Crambus. The resting posture—forewings tightly rolled—is characteristic of grass-veneers but the specific pattern elements separate it from congeners. The faint yellow bisection of the white stripe, when present, provides additional confirmation.

Adults have a wingspan of 17–22 mm. At rest, the forewings are rolled tightly over the hindwings, creating a long, slender cylindrical profile. The forewings display a broad white stripe tapered at both ends; some individuals show this stripe bisected by a faint yellow line. Four or five black lines extend from the end of the white stripe and converge with a yellow-orange horizontal line near the wing apex. Hindwings are pale gray or brown and unmarked.

Open grassy areas including fields, lawns, and other maintained or natural grasslands.

Eastern two-thirds of the United States and south-eastern Canada. Documented from Manitoba, Vermont, and throughout the core eastern range.

Adults on wing from June to August.

Larvae feed on various grasses and other low-growing plants.

Adults rest with forewings tightly rolled over hindwings, a posture typical of the grass-veneer group.

Larval herbivory on grasses contributes to nutrient cycling in grassland ecosystems.

Occasionally encountered in lawns and managed turf, but not considered a significant pest.

• Other Crambus speciesShare the rolled-wing resting posture and grassland habitat, but differ in forewing pattern details—particularly the configuration of stripes and lines.

• grassland
• moth
• crambid
• North America
• summer-flying

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life