Parsnip Webworm Moth (Larva/Pupa Stage)

Natural Habitat

Commonly found in open fields, roadsides, and meadows where host plants like wild parsnip and cow parsnip grow.

Diet & Feeding

Feed primarily on the flowers and developing seeds of plants in the Apiaceae family (parsnips, carrots, and hogweed).

Behavior Patterns

They spin silken webs around the flowering heads (umbels) of their host plants to create a protective shelter while feeding.

Risks & Benefits

The moth is considered a pest in parsnip seed production but can help control invasive wild parsnip populations; contact with host plant juices while handling larvae may cause skin irritation (phytophotodermatitis).

Identified on: 1/30/2026