Bug FAQYellow Satin Veneer
Crambus perlella · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Crambidae
Also called: Satin Grass-veneer, Immaculate Grass-veneer Moth
The Yellow Satin Veneer moth has a wingspan of about 19 to 28 mm and shiny whitish forewings that may show ochre tones and dark grey veins, while the hindwings are grey with possible ochre-white shading. Its larvae feed on a variety of grasses and the adults drink nectar from Leucanthemum flowers; the species is found across Europe and eastward through the Palearctic, flying in July and August depending on location.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Forewings are very shining whitish, often with an ochre tint and dark grey veins; hindwings are grey, sometimes suffused with ochre-white, and the larva is light grey-greenish with a darker dorsal line and brown spots.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
The wingspan ranges from 19 to 28 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It occurs throughout Europe and extends east across the Palearctic region.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Larvae feed on various grasses. Adults feed on nectar of Leucanthemum species.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults are on the wing from July to August, with timing varying by location.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
The flight period is July to August, depending on where it is found.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its native range is Europe and the eastern Palearctic.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
It is a moth in the family Crambidae.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 18 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Michigan, Alaska, Colorado, California, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Maine.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in United States; native in Canada. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
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/Crambus_perlella
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.