Crambus pascuella – Nature Journeys

Crambus pascuella – I don’t know why but I get a lot of these moths visit in the garden, and I often disturb them on an evening when watering the garden. I really like the way the sunlight catches its scales and reflects almost like silver and gold. I am also taken by the beautiful distinctive patterning. All on a moth about 12mm (half an inch) long. When viewed from above they can look kind of strange and alien with their twiglike legs. The adult flies June to August, and is found in various grassy places. Common and widespread. The larva feed on the roots of various grasses.

Rear garden, June 2018. Nikon D7200 © Peter Hillman.

Crambidae or Crambid Snout Moths belong to the superfamily Pyraloidea, or Pyralid moths, these long-snouted grass moths are sometimes listed as a subfamily to the Pyralidae family. They are often encountered when disturbed from the grass on sunny days, or when attracted to light at night. They are quite a varied group, some having quite distinctive colours and markings. The larvae feed on the roots of grasses, stems, and sometimes on moss. Some of these Crambids can become serious pests of cereal crops.

Garden Grass-veneer Chrysoteuchia culmella — Garden Grass-veneer *Chrysoteuchia culmella*

There are 117 UK species which are in 8 subfamilies. One of these subfamilies is called Crambinae, and this is where the grass moths reside. There are 33 UK species with several migrants. These grass moths (also called “grass-veneers”) have narrow forewings and broad hindwings. They often rest on grass stems, or sometimes plant stems, facing downwards with their wings tightly packed against their body to make themselves look inconspicuous to predators. They are easily disturbed during the day when walking through grassland, and do not generally fly very far before settling down again. They actually appear larger in flight because of their broader hindwings. The caterpillars feed on the stems or roots of a variety of grasses and sometimes moss.