Bug FAQRufous-banded Crambid Moth
Mimoschinia rufofascialis · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Crambidae
Also called: Barber Pole Caterpillar, Rufous-banded Crambid
The rufous-banded crambid moth, also called the barberpole caterpillar, is the only species in its genus. Its wingspan measures about 14 to 18 mm. Adults are seen from January through October, especially June to September, and the larvae feed on the seeds of various Malvaceae plants.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
The moth’s wingspan ranges from 14 to 18 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It occurs in the Caribbean, across western Canada from Alberta to British Columbia, and southward to Texas, California, and Mexico.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Larvae feed on the seeds of several Malvaceae species such as Malvastrum, Abutilon, Wissadula, Sida, Alcea and Malvella.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults have been recorded on the wing from January to October, with most sightings between June and September.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
The flight period for adults spans January through October, peaking in the summer months.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its native range includes the Caribbean and much of western North America, from Alberta and British Columbia down to Texas and California, plus Mexico.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
Mimoschinia is a monotypic genus in the Crambidae family, containing only this species.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 29 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Texas, Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Ohio.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in Canada; native in United States. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
When can I see adult moths?
Adults are on the wing from January to October, especially from June to September.
Source: Wikipedia
Where is this moth found?
It lives in the Caribbean, western Canada (Alberta to British Columbia), and south to Texas, California and Mexico.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Crambidae)
Box Tree MothCydalima perspectalisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Celery Leaftier MothUdea rubigalisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Elegant Grass-veneerMicrocrambus elegans
Hawaiian Beet Webworm MothSpoladea recurvalisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Garden Grass-veneerChrysoteuchia culmellaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Bluegrass Webworm MothParapediasia teterrellusDamages trees, gardens or cropsSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimoschinia
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-23 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-23.