Pasture tunnel moth

Pasture tunnel moth larvae have a slender (about 2-3mm wide), grey-brown coloured body which makes them very inconspicuous in the soil. Larvae live in silk-lined tunnels which have a characteristic ‘chimney’ protruding above the soil surface. They grow up to 35 mm long and have several long sparse setae around the head. They are normally found in higher rainfall districts and can cause significant damage to annual and perennial grasses, and clovers. They have also been recorded damaging wheat and barley crops in the past. Adult moths are elongate, glistening white-cream in colour, around 20 mm long and have a wingspan of approximately 25 mm.