Carrot Seed Moth
Common NameCarrot Seed Moth
Scientific NameDepressaria daucella
FamilyDepressariidae
SubfamilyDepressariinae
Wingspan (mm)20
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorswhite, cream, brown
HabitatMeadows, grasslands, gardens, waste ground, and areas with umbelliferous plants
Geographic RangeEurope, parts of Asia, North Africa, and introduced to North America
Host Plantswild carrot (Daucus carota), parsnip (Pastinaca sativa), hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium), other umbellifers
Flight PeriodJuly to October (adults overwinter and reappear in spring, April-May)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed within the flower heads and developing seeds of various umbelliferous plants. They pupate in a cocoon on the ground or within plant debris, with adults emerging in late summer to overwinter.
Identification TipsKey features include the pale, almost white forewings with prominent dark veins, and its association with plants of the carrot family. It often rests with its body flattened against a surface.
Description
A small, slender moth with pale whitish-cream forewings distinctly marked by dark brown longitudinal veins. Its body is also pale, matching the wings.
