Bug FAQJasmine Moth
Palpita vitrealis · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Crambidae
Also called: Olive-tree Pearl
Source: Wikipedia
Jasmine moths have a wingspan of about 27 to 31 mm and translucent wings with a slight sheen, a broad orange-brown border on the forewing edge, two black spots in the middle, and white-brown ringed legs. The caterpillars feed on the leaves of jasmine, privet, forsythia, strawberry tree and especially olive, where they can strip leaves and damage fruit.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
The body and wings are translucent with a slight sheen, the forewings have a broad orange or brown border on the upper edge, two black spots in the middle, and the legs are white with brown rings.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
The wingspan ranges from 27 to 31 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
Adults are on the wing from August through late October, depending on location. They feed on nectar from various flowers such as ivy and buddleia.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Adults drink nectar from many flowers, notably ivy and buddleia. Larvae feed on the leaves of jasmine, privet, forsythia, strawberry tree and olive.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Young larvae are yellow and later turn green. They grow to about 2 cm in length. The final instar spins together leaves to make a silky cocoon for pupation.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
These moths are mainly active from August to late October.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
This species occurs worldwide, including Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe. In Europe it is mainly found in the south but can be present further north.
Source: Wikipedia
More photos
Questions people ask
What plants do the larvae damage?
The caterpillars feed on olive leaves and fruits, as well as jasmine, privet, forsythia and strawberry tree.
Source: Wikipedia
When are Jasmine moths active?
Adults fly from August through late October, depending on the location.
Source: Wikipedia
What do adult Jasmine moths eat?
Adults sip nectar from flowers such as ivy and buddleia.
Source: Wikipedia
Where can I find Jasmine moths?
They are found worldwide, including Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe, mainly in southern Europe but also further north.
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/Palpita_vitrealis
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-24 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.