Pea Moth

It is a small (15 mm wingspan), grey-brown moth whose larvae (caterpillars) feed in the pods of garden peas. They have a long antennae (compared to the body size), and brownish grey wings with white and yellow spots in herringbone pattern on the edge. The pupa is dark brown and about 7.8 mm long with rows of spines. Host plants include peas, vetch, clover, and lentils. They have small yellow white, or creamy white caterpillars, up to 14 mm long, during late June to August. They feed inside pea pods but the damage to the peas can sometimes only be found when the pods are harvested. 1 or 2 of the caterpillars may be found in a single pod and within each pod, only 1 or 2 individual peas may be partially eaten and the attacked pods may develop a yellow appearance and can ripen early.