Moths of the Lower Rio Grande Valley
Less Common, but Regular Moths - Micromoths
Ailanthus Webworm (Atteva aurea)
Unmistakable: orange with bands of white spots encircled by black. Often seen at flowers during the daytime. Recorded October - February, with one record in August.
Chalky Inga (Inga cretacea)
This chunky little scavenger moth shows a distinct pattern of small dots in the median area, plus a curved ST line made up of dots. Some individuals are more peppery (left), and some are darker in the distal area (right). Recorded March - May, and August - November.
Marion's Chionodes (Chionodes mariona)
This small black twirler moth is easily identified by its white head and patches in the ST and PM areas. Recorded year-round, but more likely August - November.
Piger Grass Tubeworm (Acrolophus piger)
This grayish grass tubeworm can be told by the darker semi-triangular patch in its mid-section. Cautionary note: Many grass tubeworms can have similar patterns and may not be identifiable to species. Recorded August - October, with records in January and April.
Texas Grass Tubeworm (Acrolophus texanella)
Extremely variable, but always shows a diagonal PM line with darker shading distally. Recorded February - May, and June - December.
Speckled Xylesthia (Xylesthia pruniramiella)
Also know as Clemens' Bark Moth, this fungus moth varies from light to dark brown with whitish bands, but the primary field mark is the bumpy appearance caused by tufted scales along the wings. Recorded March - April, June - July, and September - December.
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