Bug FAQTrapeze Moth
Marasmia trapezalis · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Crambidae
Source: Wikipedia
It occurs across a wide area from Africa through the Pacific, including Australia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Peru. Its larvae feed on grasses such as corn, sorghum, rice and other Poaceae species, making it a pest of those crops.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It can be found in regions ranging from Africa to the Pacific, including Australia.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
The moth feeds on grasses in the Poaceae family. Recorded host plants include corn (Zea mays), sorghum species, Panicum trichocladum and rice (Oryza species).
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its range also includes the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Peru.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 11 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Texas, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, New York, Oklahoma, Georgia.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
What crops does the Trapeze Moth feed on?
It feeds on grasses such as corn, sorghum, rice and related Poaceae species.
Source: Wikipedia
Where is the Trapeze Moth found?
It occurs from Africa across the Pacific region, including Australia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Peru.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Crambidae)
Box Tree MothCydalima perspectalisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Celery Leaftier MothUdea rubigalis
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/Cnaphalocrocis_trapezalis
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-27 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-27.