Nomophila nearctica

Munroe, 1973

Lucerne Moth, Clover Nomophila, False Webworm, Celery Stalkworm, American Celery Webworm

Nomophila nearctica is a crambid with broad distribution across North America and southward into the Neotropics. are active from spring through late autumn. The is notable for its narrow, elongated profile and association with low-growing . feed on a range of plants including grasses, legumes, and celery, making it occasionally significant in agricultural contexts.

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Nomophila nearctica 1 by Jacy Lucier. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Nomophila nearctica: //nɔˈmoʊfɪlə nɪˈɑrktɪkə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

The narrow, elongated shape is the most reliable field characteristic. When at rest, the presents a slender, almost stick-like profile unlike the broader-winged appearance of most related crambids. are attracted to light and can be found at sheet setups during warmer months.

Images

Habitat

Open with low-growing vegetation, including grasslands, meadows, agricultural fields, gardens, and disturbed areas. Associated with herbaceous plants rather than .

Distribution

Southern Canada through all of the United States, continuing south to Mexico and the Neotropics. More northerly in western North America compared to eastern regions.

Seasonality

are on from April to November in North America, with peak activity during warmer months. Multiple likely occur within this extended period.

Diet

feed on celery (Apium graveolens), various grasses, lucerne/alfalfa (Medicago sativa), sweet clover (Melilotus), knotweed (Polygonum), and other low-growing herbaceous plants. feeding habits are not documented in available sources.

Life Cycle

with , larval, pupal, and stages. are associated with herbaceous plants. Specific details of site and number of per year are not documented in available sources.

Behavior

are and attracted to artificial light sources. feed on low-growing plants and have been documented as occasional pests in celery .

Ecological Role

Larval in grassland and agricultural . Contributes to through consumption of . Serves as for various including birds, bats, and .

Human Relevance

Known as a minor agricultural pest, particularly in celery production where larval feeding on stalks causes direct damage. Also referred to as "celery stalkworm" and " celery " in agricultural literature. The "lucerne " reflects its association with alfalfa .

Similar Taxa

Nomophila noctuellaSimilar narrow-winged and shared , but N. noctuella is primarily Palearctic and known for long-distance in Europe, whereas N. nearctica is to the Americas with different distribution pattern.
Other CrambidaeMost crambid have broader, more triangular and stockier body proportions; the exceptionally slender shape of Nomophila is distinctive within the .