Bug FAQElderberry and Crowned Pearls
Anania coronata · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Crambidae
Also called: Elder Pearl, Elderberry Pearl, European Crowned Phlyctaenia Moth, Spotted Magpie
Source: Wikipedia
The moth has a wingspan of about 23 to 26 mm and dark forewings with distinctive yellow-whitish markings. It was first described in 1767 and lives in the northern parts of the Palearctic region.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Forewings are dark fuscous with yellow-whitish speckles, a faint first line with a whitish dot, and a second dark line edged with waved whitish-yellowish markings and a quadrangular projection containing a pale blotch. Hindwings share the forewing pattern but lack the anterior markings and have enlarged pale blotches at the rear.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
The adult’s wingspan ranges from 23 to 26 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It occurs in the northern areas of the Palearctic realm.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults are on the wing from May to August, depending on location.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
The moth flies during the months of May through August, varying with region.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
It is native to the northern Palearctic region.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
It closely resembles Anania stachydalis.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 20 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island, Kansas, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Minnesota, Ohio.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
When can I see the adult moth?
Adults are active from May to August, depending on where you are.
Source: Wikipedia
How can I recognize this moth?
Look for a 23 to 26 mm wingspan and dark forewings with yellow-whitish speckles, a faint first line with a whitish dot, and a second dark line edged with waved whitish-yellowish markings and a pale quadrangular blotch.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Crambidae)
Box Tree MothCydalima perspectalisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Celery Leaftier MothUdea rubigalis
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/Anania_coronata
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-28 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-28.