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Spoladea recurvalis
Beet Webworm Moth
Hawaiian Beet Webworm
Florida native
This little moth is commonly found across the southern United States from California to Florida and in much of the eastern states at least northward into Illinois to New York. The range includes Hawaii and many of the warmer regions of the world such as Africa, Australia and southeast Asia.
The wingspan is from 19-21 mm (~3/4 in.). Wings are dark brown to gray, the forewing has a wide broad median line that expands to what the guides call a narrow "fish-hook" shape before tapering in a curve to the costa (leading edge). A broad white PM band extends part way from the costa with three white dots beyond. The hind wing has a complete, fairly straight, broad white median band outlined in black.
Often considered a pest, Spoladea recurvalis is the only species of this genus in North America. In Nambia, Africa it is called the spinach moth. The larvea feed on beets, chard, spinach and plants in the Amaranth and Goosefoot families. One of the photos shows an adult on shoreline seapurslane, the other photos here show adults on vente conmigo and seacoast marshelder.
The spotted beet webworm moth - Hymenia perspectalis - has a similar appearance. the primary difference being the forewing median line is somewhat broken and the hindwing median line has a outward bulge at midpoint.
Spoladea recurvalis is a member of the Crambidae - Crambid Snout Moths family.
For more information on this species, visit the following link:
Bugguide.net info page for this species
Date record last modified: Feb 15, 2020
