Crambidae

63.012 American Yellow-underwing Pearl Uresiphita reversalis (Guenée, 1854).

Immigrant / Adventive

Similar species: Uresiphita gilvata which has a dark bar near the outer edge of the yellow hindwing.

Forewing: 13 to 16mm

Habitats:

Habits: A pest in North America as it defoliates its host plants.

Foodplant: The early stages have not been recorded in Britain and Ireland. In North America it feeds on legumes. It feeds gregariously during the day in a slight web on fresh leaves, buds and young pods of Yellow Wild Indigo, Blue False Indigo, Texas Bluebonnet (a lupin), Sweet Broom, Scotch Broom, Witches Broom or Mescal Bean. It is also said to feed on Acacia and honeysuckle. It overwinters as a pupa in a heavy spinning or as an adult.