| Chrysoteuchia culmella (Linnaeus, 1758) |
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Scientific name: Chrysoteuchia culmella (Linnaeus, 1758) Common name: French name: Crambus des jardins Order: Lepidoptera Suborder: Heterocera Family: Crambidae Subfamily: Crambinae Wingspan: 18-24 mm. Biotope: Meadows and any place with many Poaceae plants. Geographic area: Europe. Flight time: May to September. Number of generations : 1 Caterpillar: Inside a silk sheath at the base of grasses. Host plant: The larvae feed on the roots and on the base of the stems of many herbaceous plants. |
You can often observe Chrysoteuchia culmella hooked to grass stalks, upside down. The wings, slightly wider than on other Crambidae, show lengthy beige and brown patterns. The pale beige pattern seems to draw the shape of a four-teeth fork. This may be more or less visible depending on the moth. The submarginal part of the wings shows one or two angulous cross lines. The marginal area is a golden colour with black dots. These two last points are keys to confirm the identification of this species. The fringe is white and bordered with black. Chrysoteuchia culmella is normally active during the night but you may easily disturb it during the day among grasses. It is also attracted to light. |
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You just need to look carefully when you mow the lawn. You will notice that you disturb many Chrysoteuchia culmella. This one has just gone to shelter on a small wall. So as usual, I stopped mowing for a small photo session. |
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Another Chrysoteuchia culmella observed in the garden. I still need to shoot a picture showing it hooked to a grass stalk, upside down. |
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Another Chrysoteuchia culmella observed in the garden. It is landed on a plant this times. |
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Here is the pale form. (I have not shot this picture in my garden and this one is not landed upside down here …) |
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Here is one upside down moth … but on my workshop's door. |
André Bon April 2022
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