Thatch Pearl
Common NameThatch Pearl
Scientific NameCrambus perlella
FamilyCrambidae
SubfamilyCrambinae
Wingspan (mm)25
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorspale brown, white
HabitatGrasslands, meadows, open woodlands, gardens
Geographic RangeEurope, parts of Asia, introduced to North America
Host Plantsvarious grasses (Poaceae)
Flight PeriodJune to September
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are subterranean, feeding on the roots and lower stems of grasses. They overwinter as larvae and pupate in a silken cocoon within the soil.
Identification TipsLook for uniformly pale, often pearly forewings with a prominent white fringe. The long, forward-pointing labial palps are a key feature, typical of the Crambidae family.
Description
A small, slender moth characterized by its uniformly pale golden-brown or straw-colored forewings, often with a subtle pearly sheen, and a distinct white fringe along the wing margins. Its long labial palps protrude forward, giving it a pointed snout-like appearance.
