Bug FAQVariable Reddish and California Pyrausta Moths
Pyrausta rubricalis · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Crambidae
Also called: Variable Reddish Pyrausta, Variable Reddish Pyrausta Moth
The Variable Reddish and California Pyrausta Moth has a wingspan of about 15 mm. It was first described by Jacob Hübner in 1796. Adults are on the wing from March through October and are found across much of North America, from the Midwest and East Coast to the West Coast.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Jacob Hübner described the species in 1796.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
The moth’s wingspan is roughly 15 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It also occurs on the West Coast, from southern California up to Washington.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults fly from March through October.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
The species is native to North America.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 31 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Massachusetts, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.
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
Where can I find this moth?
It occurs across much of the United States, from the Midwest and East Coast to the West Coast.
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/Pyrausta_rubricalis
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.