Bug FAQPurple-backed Cabbageworm Moth
Evergestis pallidata · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Crambidae
Also called: Crambid Moth, Chequered Pearl, Purple-backed Cabbageworm
Source: Wikipedia
The Purple-backed Cabbageworm Moth has a wingspan of about 24 to 29 mm and bright yellow forewings with brown-red lines and a mesh of veins, while its hindwings are white with faint brown lines. It lives across Europe, the Palearctic region and North America, and the adults are on the wing from June to September depending on location. The caterpillars feed on members of the Brassicaceae family, especially Barbarea vulgaris, making it a pest of garden and crop plants.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
The forewings are shiny yellow with brown-red transverse lines, spots and a net-like pattern of veins. The hindwings are bright white with some incomplete brown lines.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
The wingspan ranges from 24 to 29 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults fly from June to September, varying with location.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
The moth is active during the months of June through September, depending on where it lives.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its range includes Europe, the Palearctic region and North America.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 35 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, Ohio, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Wisconsin.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in Canada. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
What plants do the caterpillars eat?
The caterpillars feed on plants in the Brassicaceae family, especially Barbarea vulgaris.
Source: Wikipedia
When are the moths active?
Adults are on the wing from June to September, depending on the local climate.
Source: Wikipedia
Where can I find this moth?
It occurs throughout Europe, the Palearctic region and North America.
Source: Wikipedia
How big is the Purple-backed Cabbageworm Moth?
Its wingspan measures about 24 to 29 mm.
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/Evergestis_pallidata
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.