Bug FAQCarrot Seed Moth
Sitochroa palealis · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Crambidae
Also called: Greenish-yellow Sitochroa Moth, Sulphur Pearl
Source: Wikipedia
The moth has a wingspan of about 26 to 34 mm. It lives in Europe and was first found in the United States in 2002. Its caterpillars feed on carrots, fennel, and other umbelliferous plants.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Adults measure 26 to 34 mm across the wings.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
You’ll see this moth in Europe and, since 2002, also in parts of the United States.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
The larvae munch on wild carrot, cultivated carrots, fennel, and related herbs like Heracleum and Silaum.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults are on the wing from June through July, depending on where they live.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its original range is Europe, with the first U.S. record in 2002.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 27 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Michigan, Ohio, New York, Illinois, Vermont, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: introduced in Canada; introduced in United States. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
Do the larvae damage garden vegetables?
Yes, they feed on carrots and related crops, which can reduce yields.
Source: Wikipedia
When can I expect to see the adult moth?
Adults fly in early summer, typically June to July.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Crambidae)
Box Tree MothCydalima perspectalisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Celery Leaftier MothUdea rubigalisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Elegant Grass-veneerMicrocrambus elegans
Hawaiian Beet Webworm MothSpoladea recurvalisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Garden Grass-veneerChrysoteuchia culmellaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Bluegrass Webworm MothParapediasia teterrellusDamages trees, gardens or cropsSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sitochroa_palealis
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-22 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.