NC State Extension Publications

Description and Biology

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Phalaena costata (Diaphania costata) is known as the orange-shouldered sherbet moth or white palpita moth (which is confusing as this moth is not in the genus Palpita). Orange-shouldered sherbet moth caterpillars are spotted, translucent greenish, and have orange-brown heads. They grow to about 1 inch long as they fold host plant leaves with a sort of messy web in which they take shelter, grow, and eventually pupate. Pupae are slender, brown, and about 1/2 inch long. From pupae inside the “nest” emerge lovely white moths with a gold band on the outer margin of the forewings. The snout and legs are also marked with orange to gold. They fly from late July through mid October. We probably have two generations per year in North Carolina.

The white palpita or Orange-Shouldered Sherbet Moth

These moths are small and white with a golden stripe on the fore wings.

Photo by Wikimedia Commons CCA-SA 4.0 International license

Caterpillar of the orange-shouldered sherbet moth.

These caterpillars are found in loose webbing of vinca and dogbane.

Photo from the Hayden, Hoebeke, Bertone, Brou poster

Pupa of the orange-shouldered sherbet moth.

The pupae are slender and brown.

Photo from the Hayden, Hoebeke, Bertone, Brou poster

Host Plants

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Orange-shouldered sherbet caterpillars web up and feed on plants in the dogbane family including confederate jasmine, eastern bluestar, and periwinkle or vinca. The caterpillars may ruin ruin the appearance of vinca and other hosts.

Damage to periwinkle by caterpillars of the orange-shouldered sherbet moth.

Orange-shouldered sherbet moth caterpillars can wreak havoc on vinca.

Photo from the Hayden, Hoebeke, Bertone, Brou poster

Residential Recommendations

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Although orange-shouldered sherbet moths are rarely reported in North Carolina, sometimes even rare insects can be locally abundant. Should chemical control be desired, one of the pyrethroids readily available in most garden centers should work well.

Other Resources

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For assistance with a specific problem, contact your local N.C. Cooperative Extension center.

This factsheet has not been peer reviewed.

Author

Professor Emeritus
Entomology & Plant Pathology

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Publication date: Jan. 18, 2019
Revised: Nov. 4, 2023

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