Species Details
Crambus leachellus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameLeach's Crambus
SeasonalityAdults have been collected in Alberta from August to mid September.
IdentificationA moderately large crambid (25-27 mm wingspan) with medium brown forewings having a wide longitudinal silvery white discal stripe which ends before the subterminal line. This stripe lacks a tooth below and is not cut by an oblique line. The forewings have a triangularly produced apex. There is a row of 5 dark spots in the subterminal line. The hind wings are smoky white. The cilia of both fore and hind wings are silvery metallic. Males are similar to females. Similar to Crambus pascuellus, but the median stripe is not cut by an oblique line. Similar to C. ainsliellus but the hindwings are smoky white, not grayish white; also the gnathos of the male is narrow throughout rather than being narrow at the base, broadening distally, thus appearing spoon shaped. Similar to C. hamellus and C. occidentalis but the median stripe lacks a tooth below.
Scientific Name
Crambus leachellus
Common Name
Leach's Crambus
Habitat
Grassland areas.
Seasonality
Adults have been collected in Alberta from August to mid September.
Identification
A moderately large crambid (25-27 mm wingspan) with medium brown forewings having a wide longitudinal silvery white discal stripe which ends before the subterminal line. This stripe lacks a tooth below and is not cut…
A moderately large crambid (25-27 mm wingspan) with medium brown forewings having a wide longitudinal silvery white discal stripe which ends before the subterminal line. This stripe lacks a tooth below and is not cut by an oblique line. The forewings have a triangularly produced apex. There is a row of 5 dark spots in the subterminal line. The hind wings are smoky white. The cilia of both fore and hind wings are silvery metallic. Males are similar to females. Similar to Crambus pascuellus, but the median stripe is not cut by an oblique line. Similar to C. ainsliellus but the hindwings are smoky white, not grayish white; also the gnathos of the male is narrow throughout rather than being narrow at the base, broadening distally, thus appearing spoon shaped. Similar to C. hamellus and C. occidentalis but the median stripe lacks a tooth below.
Life History
Diurnal and comes to light. Apparently single brooded.
Conservation
Often common, no concerns.
Diet Info
Presumably grasses.
Range
A widespread North American species. Scholtens comments that in the Douglas Lake Region of Michigan this is "probably the most common late season weedy species".
Citation
Page Citation for Crambus leachellus
Page Citation
"Species Details - Crambus leachellus, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2870. Accessed 07 Jul. 2025.
References
Author
Bowman, K.
Title
An annotated list of the Lepidoptera of Alberta.
Publication Date
1951
Series Title
Canadian Journal of Zoology
Volume
29
Pages
121-165
Author
Forbes, W.T.M.
Title
Lepidoptera of New York and Neighboring States. Primitive Forms, Microlepidoptera, Pyraloids, Bombyces.
Publication Date
1923
Series Title
Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station. Memoir
Volume
68
Pages
1-729
Author
Handfield, L.
Title
Liste des Lépidoptères du Québec et du Labrador.
Publication Date
1997
Series Title
Fabreries, Supplément
Volume
7
Pages
1-155
Author
Scholtens, B.
Title
Moths of the Douglas Lake Region (Emmet and Cheboygan Counties), Michigan: V. Crambidae and Pyralidae (Lepidoptera).
Publication Date
1996
Series Title
The Great Lakes Entomologist
Volume
29
Pages
141-160
Author
McDaniel, B., G. Fauske and R.D. Gustin.
Title
Sod webworm moths (Pyralidae: Crambinae) in South Dakota, USA.
Publication Date
1985
Series Title
Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society
Volume
38
Pages
149-164
Specimen Information
There are 79 specimens of this Species.
UASM39087 - Crambus leachellus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected1921-08-12
UASM39088 - Crambus leachellus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected1922-08-17
UASM39089 - Crambus leachellus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected1922-08-18
UASM39090 - Crambus leachellus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected1923-08-10
UASM39091 - Crambus leachellus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected1923-08-10
UASM39092 - Crambus leachellus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected1923-08-10
UASM39093 - Crambus leachellus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected1924-08-14
UASM39094 - Crambus leachellus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected1924-08-14
UASM39095 - Crambus leachellus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected1929-08-30
UASM39096 - Crambus leachellus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected1934-09-03
UASM39098 - Crambus leachellus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected1938-08-31
UASM39107 - Crambus leachellus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Opal
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected1955-08-08
BIRD179 - Crambus leachellus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Big Knife Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-09-26
BIRD206 - Crambus leachellus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Big Knife Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-09-11
BIRD172 - Crambus leachellus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2001-09-01
BIRD173 - Crambus leachellus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2001-09-01
BIRD198 - Crambus leachellus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-09-10
BIRD199 - Crambus leachellus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-09-10
BIRD200 - Crambus leachellus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-09-10
BIRD201 - Crambus leachellus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-09-10
BIRD202 - Crambus leachellus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-09-10