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The pearl moth (Udea numeralis) is a small species of snout moth in the family Crambidae.
Overview and Physical Characteristics
• Wingspan: Approximately 25 to 26 mm.
• Description: Originally described by the entomologist Jacob Hübner in 1796. It belongs to the subfamily Spilomelinae and the genus Udea.
Distribution and Habitat
• Location: It is found in Southern Europe—including France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, and Greece (such as the island of Crete)—as well as North Africa (Algeria and Morocco).
• Habitat: Commonly observed in warm, Mediterranean environments like olive groves and river banks.
Biology and Diet
• Food Plants: The larvae feed on plants from the Compositae (aster/daisy) family.
• Flight Period: In warmer southern regions like Crete, adults can be recorded across an extended period of the year.
