Bug FAQGlaucocharis lepidella
Glaucocharis lepidella · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Crambidae
Glaucocharis lepidella is a small moth about 19.5 to 20.5 mm long, found throughout New Zealand’s native forests from lowland to sub-alpine zones. Its forewings are bright yellow-to-golden orange with a distinctive crescent-shaped silvery-white spot, while the hindwings are a dull grey.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
The forewings are triangular, broad and bright yellow-ochre with a crescent-shaped silvery-white spot beyond the middle; the hindwings are fuscous-grey with a faint darker line.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Both males and females measure about 19½ to 20½ mm in length.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It lives in native forests ranging from lowland to sub-alpine areas and is often found among low-growing bushes such as Hebe.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Larvae are thought to feed on mosses.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
The flight period for adults spans November through February.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
The species is endemic to New Zealand and occurs on both the North and South Islands.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
It also resembles G. auriscriptella, yet it is larger in size.
Source: Wikipedia
More photos
Questions people ask
When are Glaucocharis lepidella adults active?
Adults fly from November to February.
Source: Wikipedia
Where is this moth found?
It is endemic to New Zealand, occurring in native forests on both islands, from lowland to sub-alpine zones.
Source: Wikipedia
How can I tell it apart from similar species?
Look for the bright yellow-orange forewing with a crescent silvery spot, a duller overall colour and grey hindwings compared with G. leucoxantha, and note its larger size relative to G. auriscriptella.
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/Glaucocharis_lepidella
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-23 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-23.