Insects and Spiders - invasive

Southern Pink Moth (Pyrausta inornatalis) on Jul 30, 2022

Submitter does not have a specimen
EDRR Status: Local expert notified

Description of specimen

Small pink moth, approximately one centimeter / 1/2 inch long. Forewings bright pink, hindwings light grey / tan. Fluttered around the foliage of a large "Black and Blue" Salvia, rested under leaves. Took a photo in flight, not close up though. While resting it takes a triangular shape, equal on all sides.
I have not looked for or observed damage or larvae on the plant.
In the photo the moth is near the center, but it was moving too quickly to zoom in or get closer.

Commentary

Yes, southern pink moth was first reported to us last year from the SE Portland (Sellwood/West Moreland) area just north of Oregon City. We are informally tracking new locations and counties to see how fast this spreads. Residents are noticing high numbers of these in their yards now. The moth is destructive on all species of Salvia (sage) plants and eats the flowers and buds. These plants have become super popular for hummingbird gardens which might explain the recent introduction into Oregon. The closest it was to Oregon before last year was southern California. Please see our pest alert:
https://www.oregon.gov/oda/shared/Documents/Publications/IPPM/SouthernPinkMothPestAlert.pdf

Tom Valente
Aug. 1, 2022, 9:38 a.m.

Resources

See the Oregon Department of Agricuture Pest Alert for more information.

Location

Back yard garden, on a salvia bush.

Expert Reviewer

Tom Valente
Oregon Department of Agriculture

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