Rusty Dot Pearl
Common NameRusty Dot Pearl
Scientific NameUdea ferrugalis
FamilyCrambidae
SubfamilySpilomelinae
Wingspan (mm)20
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorslight brown, tan, dark brown
HabitatGardens, cultivated fields, waste ground, open grassy areas, woodlands
Geographic RangeWidespread in Europe, North Africa, parts of Asia, and introduced to North America (cosmopolitan)
Host Plantsplantain, knotgrass, nettle, beet, various herbaceous plants
Flight PeriodMarch to November (multivoltine, year-round in warmer climates)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are polyphagous, feeding on a wide variety of herbaceous plants. They pupate in a silken cocoon, often among host plant leaves or in the soil, with multiple generations occurring annually.
Identification TipsKey features include the distinctive pointed snout (upturned labial palps), the overall light brown/tan coloration, and the scattered dark 'rusty' spots on the forewings. A dark terminal line on the hindwings is also characteristic.
Description
A small, light brown moth characterized by a prominent, pointed snout formed by its upturned labial palps, and several scattered dark brown to black spots on its forewings.
