Agriphila vulgivagella

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »

Common NameVagabond Crambus Moth; Vagabond Sod Webworm Moth SeasonalityLate August to early September. IdentificationA medium to large sized crambid (25 mm wingspan, ranging from 20-39 mm). The forewing is dull yellowish (clay coloured) with numerous longitudinal streaks formed by brown scales in the intervenular spaces; AM, PM and ST lines not evident; the terminal line has a row of seven black dots; fringe golden bronze. The front of the head is produced and conical. Similar in color and streaking to Agriphila plumbifimbriella and A. ruricolella but larger, lacking AM, PM and/or ST lines and flying later. Wingspan and flight time similar to Agriphila attenuata but forewings not as narrow, also lacking an ill-defined white streak and a subterminal line that runs obliquely into the costa. McDaniel et al (1984) also mention that vulgivagella has a conical front while ruricolella does not.

Scientific Name Agriphila vulgivagella Common Name Vagabond Crambus Moth; Vagabond Sod Webworm Moth Habitat Grassland areas. Seasonality Late August to early September. Identification

A medium to large sized crambid (25 mm wingspan, ranging from 20-39 mm). The forewing is dull yellowish (clay coloured) with numerous longitudinal streaks formed by brown scales in the intervenular spaces; AM, PM and ST lines not evident; the terminal line has a row of seven black dots; fringe golden bronze. The front of the head is produced and conical. Similar in color and streaking to Agriphila plumbifimbriella and A. ruricolella but larger, lacking AM, PM and/or ST lines and flying later. Wingspan and flight time similar to Agriphila attenuata but forewings not as narrow, also lacking an ill-defined white streak and a subterminal line that runs obliquely into the costa. McDaniel et al (1984) also mention that vulgivagella has a conical front while ruricolella does not.

Life History No local information. The early stages have been described by Felt (1894). Hibernation occurs as half grown larvae. Single brooded. Conservation Uncommon in Alberta, but probably of no concern. Diet Info No local information. This is a very common moth in the northeastern United States, where it is a serious agricultural pest. The larvae feed on the tender roots of young grass, wheat, rye and other grains (Fernald 1896). Range

A North American species where it is widespread south of the Boreal Forest (Fernald 1896, Dyar 1904, McDaniel et al. 1984, Scholtens 1996 and Handfield (1997). In Alberta, Bowman (1951) has it from the Lethbridge,…

Page Citation

"Species Details - Agriphila vulgivagella, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2903. Accessed 30 Apr. 2024.

Authorship

Name Bird, C. D.

Role species page author

Date 2003-04

References

64 results plotted on map in 23 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

BIRD17073 - Agriphila vulgivagella

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bindloss Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.; Troubridge, J. Date Collected2005-09-03

BIRD17074 - Agriphila vulgivagella

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bindloss Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.; Troubridge, J. Date Collected2005-09-03

BIRD17075 - Agriphila vulgivagella

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bindloss Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.; Troubridge, J. Date Collected2005-09-03