The Bluegrass Webworm Moth has a wingspan of about 1 inch. The mouthparts project forward from the head to form a snout. The eye and the legs are white. The forewing is pale brown to medium brownish-gray with a jagged Post Medial line. There are 2 dark gray or black streaks in the medial area. The terminal line is composed of black dots. The fringe is cream-colored. The brownish-gray hindwing is more than twice as broad as the forewing with a pale fringe. The mature larva grows to .75 to 1 inch. The head is dark gray. The body is greenish-gray with spots forming a ring around each abdominal segment.
This is probably a common moth at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods. The larvae live in lawns and golf courses. The adults are attracted to artificial lights. Photo A ere was photographed at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center in early August 2013. Photos B & C were photographed at Camp Logan Fontenelle, Fontenelle Forest in late July 2015.
The larvae feed on blue grass and tall fescue. There are two generations a year. In late spring and again in mid-summer females drop eggs while flying low over grass. The mature larvae overwinter in a silk-lined tunnel in soil or thatch. Another common name for this species is Bluegrass Sod Webworm Moth.
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