Hawaiian Beet Webworm Moth Spoladea recurvalis
(c) Ramnarayan K, some rights reserved (CC BY)
OrderButterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera)
FamilyCrambid Snout Moths (Crambidae)
GenusSpoladea (Spoladea)
Despite its Hawaiian-sounding common name, this global wanderer thrives on nearly every continent, especially in tropical regions. The "beet webworm" name comes from its caterpillar's habit of rolling leaves into shelters while feeding on its host plants, earning it membership in the family Crambidaeโknown for their web-making skills. The disconnect between its Hawaiian name and worldwide distribution is a reminder that common names don't always tell the full story of a species' true range and adaptability.
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