Bug FAQGoldenrod Elliptical-Gall Moth
Gnorimoschema gallaesolidaginis · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Gelechiidae
Also called: Goldenrod Gall-maker Moth, Goldenrod gallmaker
The goldenrod elliptical-gall moth has deep purplish-brown forewings sprinkled with a flesh-colored hue and a light carneous band that curves across the wing. Its larvae feed on several goldenrod species and make spindle-shaped galls on the plants. It is found throughout much of North America, from Canadian provinces to many U.S. states.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Forewings are deep purplish-brown with speckles of a flesh-like color. A light carneous band starts near the wing base, curves toward the middle of the inner margin, then bends upward toward the tip, reaching about halfway up the wing.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It has been recorded in many parts of Canada and the United States, including Alberta, British Columbia, California, Florida, Illinois, and many other states and provinces.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Larvae feed on the goldenrod species Solidago nemoralis, Solidago altissima, and Solidago gigantea.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
While feeding on those goldenrod hosts, the larvae form spindle-shaped galls on the plant tissue.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
The species is native to North America.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 37 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Minnesota, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania, Vermont.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in Canada; native in United States. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
How can I recognize this moth?
Look for deep purplish-brown forewings with flesh-colored speckles and a distinctive light carneous band that curves across the wing.
Source: Wikipedia
Where is this moth found?
It occurs across many regions of North America, from Canadian provinces to numerous U.S. states.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Gelechiidae)
Angoumois Grain MothSitotroga cerealellaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Black-smudged Chionodes MothChionodes mediofuscella
Inverse and Kimball's Dichomeris MothsDichomeris inversella
Pink-washed Aristotelia MothAristotelia roseosuffusella
White Stripe-backed MothArogalea cristifasciella
Burdock Seedhead MothMetzneria lappellaSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnorimoschema_gallaesolidaginis
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-25 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-25.