Neodactria caliginosellus

Larvae may be identified by their pale white to gray coloration and association with grass roots or corn stalks. Adults presumably resemble other small crambid moths; specific diagnostic features for this species are not documented in available sources.

Grassy areas and fields, including agricultural settings with corn.

North America: recorded from Alabama, Alberta, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, South Carolina, Tennessee, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Vermont.

Larvae feed on turf grasses and corn stalks. Adult feeding habits are not documented.

• turf grasses - larval food plantlarvae feed on roots
• Zea mays - larval food plantlarvae feed on corn stalks

Larval stage documented; other developmental stages and timing not specified in available sources.

Larvae are root feeders, tunneling in grass roots and corn stalks. Specific adult behaviors are not documented.

Larvae act as herbivores in grassland and agricultural ecosystems. Potential pest status in turf and corn production.

Documented as a pest of turf grasses and corn. The common name 'corn root webworm' reflects its agricultural impact.

• Other Neodactria speciesGenus members share similar habitat preferences and morphology; specific distinguishing features for N. caliginosellus are not detailed in available sources.
• Other Crambidae grass mothsMany crambids occupy similar grassy habitats and have small, inconspicuous adults; larval host associations and geographic distribution may aid separation.

• Crambidae
• grassland
• agricultural pest
• root feeder
• North America

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