Pearly Palpita
Common NamePearly Palpita
Scientific NamePalpita margaritacea
FamilyCrambidae
SubfamilySpilomelinae
Wingspan (mm)25
Wing Patterniridescent
Primary Colorswhite, golden-brown, black
HabitatWoodlands, forests, gardens, areas with host plants
Geographic RangeEastern North America, from southern Canada south to Florida and west to Texas
Host Plantsdogwood (Cornus spp.), privet (Ligustrum spp.), lilac (Syringa spp.)
Flight PeriodMay to October
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult. Larvae feed on the leaves of host plants, pupate, and emerge as nocturnal adults.
Identification TipsKey features include the pearly white, iridescent wings, the prominent golden-brown costal margin on the forewings, and a distinctive row of small black dots along the termen of the forewings.
Description
This is a medium-sized moth with pearly white, iridescent wings, bordered by a distinctive golden-brown costal margin on the forewings. A row of small black dots marks the outer edge of the forewings.
