Primrose Moth

Appearance

• The primrose moth has pink wings and a light yellow-colored head and lower wing edges. The tips of its wings protrude from and blend in with primrose flower petals when the moths are feeding inside the flower. The pink coloring blends with pink primrose flowers and other primrose flowers that develop a pink coloring as they fade.

Habits

• You may spot adults primrose moths during the months of June through September. The moths are active at night. Adult primrose moths lay their eggs on the flower buds of primrose plants. When the eggs hatch, the larvae eat the flower buds. The moths prefer to live in places where the plants grow, including fields and clearings. The website The Daily Wing notes that the moths feed on primrose nectar, but don't seem to participate in pollinating the plant.

Primrose Plants

• Evening primrose plants are biennials. Their pale pink, white or yellow flowers produce a strong scent when they open at night. The plants are pollinated by sphinx moths and other moths. Their period of bloom occurs during the months primrose moths are most active. The plants grow in locations where primrose moths tend to live, including fields and disturbed sites.

Kern Primrose Sphinx Moths

• Kern primrose sphinx moths are gray-brown with black and white markings on their forewings and black and white banding on their hind wings. The moths are active in the daytime. The adult months lays their eggs on primrose plants and other plants that grow near primrose, and their caterpillars eat the leaves and flowers of primrose plants.

Status

• Kern primrose sphinx moths were once thought extinct, but as of 2011 populations of these moths were found in the Walker Basin and Carrizo Plain National Monument area in California. The moths are listed as threatened within the Endangered Species Act. According to the Xerces Society, disturbance and loss of habitat have compromised the survival of these moths.