Palpita quadristigmalis

Palpita quadristigmalis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Crambidae
Genus:	Palpita
Species:	P. quadristigmalis
Binomial name
Palpita quadristigmalis (Guenée, 1854)
Synonyms
Margarodes quadristigmalis Guenée, 1854

Palpita quadristigmalis, the four-spotted palpita moth, is a moth in the family Crambidae.^[1] It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from Quebec and Ontario to Florida, west to Arizona and north to Colorado.^[2]

The length of the forewings is 13.5-14.5 mm. The forewings are translucent white with a dark brown strip along the costa containing three black dots in the basal half. The hindwings are white with a dark discal dot. Adults are on wing in May and June in the north and nearly year-round in the southern part of the range.

The larvae feed on Ligustrum species.^[3]

The larvae have also been found feeding on Olea europaea (olive) in Texas. They are recognized as a potential pest, as they are able to defoliate entire orchards and will also feed on the olive fruit.

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