Bug FAQVagabond Sod Webworm Moth
Agriphila vulgivagellus · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Crambidae
Also called: Vagabond Crambus Moth, Vagabond Crambus, Vagabond Sod Webworm
Source: Wikipedia
The adult moth has a wingspan of about 2 to 4 cm. Adults are seen flying from late summer into autumn, with one generation each year. The caterpillars eat a variety of grasses, wheat, rye and other grains, which can harm crops.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Wingspan ranges from 20 to 39 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Immature larvae spend the winter months in a dormant state.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults are on the wing from August through October.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its native range covers eastern Canada and the United States from the Atlantic coast to the central plains.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 46 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan, Illinois, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania.
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 the adult moths?
Adults are active from August to October, with one generation each year.
Source: Wikipedia
Where is this moth found?
It occurs from eastern Canada down through the eastern United States to Florida, and west to Texas and Alberta.
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/Agriphila_vulgivagellus
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.