Insects Active at night

Cabbage Moth

Mamestra brassicae

iNaturalist Wikipedia

A master of nocturnal camouflage, the Cabbage Moth is a resilient and highly adaptable visitor to backyards across Europe and Asia. Recognizable by the distinct white kidney-shaped mark on its dark wings, this moth is a fascinating study in survival and agricultural history.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Wingspan of 34–50 mm (1.3–2 inches); body length approximately 15–22 mm (0.6–0.9 inches)

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Colors

Mottled dark brown to greyish-black forewings; distinct white-outlined kidney-shaped mark (stigma); pale grey hindwings with darker veining

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Key Features

White kidney-shaped spot on the forewing
Prominent spur on the tibia of the front leg
Mottled brown-grey camouflage pattern
Wavy white subterminal line on the forewing

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active at night

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Peak hours 9 PM - 3 AM

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Season May-October

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Diet Adults feed on nectar from various flowering plants; larvae (caterpillars) are generalist herbivores primarily consuming Brassica species, tomatoes, and lettuce.

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Habitat Suburban gardens, allotments, agricultural fields, and disturbed urban green spaces.

Behavior

The Cabbage Moth is a master of nocturnal survival, spending the daylight hours perfectly still against tree bark, wooden fences, or within dense foliage where its mottled wings provide expert camouflage. Once night falls, these moths emerge to feed on nectar and search for mates. They are strong flyers, capable of traveling significant distances to find the specific host plants required for their offspring.

Unlike many other moth species that are solitary and scattered, Cabbage Moths can occur in high densities in areas with abundant food sources. Females are particularly methodical, using sensitive antennae to detect chemical signatures of host plants like brassicas. They typically lay their eggs in neat clusters on the undersides of leaves to shield them from the sun and predators, ensuring the next generation has immediate access to food upon hatching.

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Camera Tips

To successfully capture the Cabbage Moth on your backyard AI camera, focus your efforts on the 'lure and wait' strategy. Since these moths are strictly nocturnal, you will need a camera with high-quality infrared (IR) night vision. Position your camera near a patch of cabbage, kale, or flowering nectar sources like Buddleia or Honeysuckle. Mounting the camera at a height of 2 to 4 feet, angled slightly downward toward the leaves, will provide the best angle for catching them as they land to feed or oviposit.

One of the best ways to bring this species into focus is to use a 'sugar lick.' Mix brown sugar, overripe bananas, and a splash of dark beer into a thick paste and smear it on a tree trunk or post within the camera's field of view. The fermenting scent is irresistible to Cabbage Moths. Set your AI camera to its highest sensitivity and use a 'burst' or 'photo-first' mode; moths move quickly, and capturing multiple frames ensures you get a crisp shot of the diagnostic white wing spots rather than a blurry streak.

Pay close attention to the weather. Cabbage Moths are most active on warm, overcast, and still nights. If it is windy or raining, they tend to stay tucked away in the undergrowth. In temperate zones, the best time for recording is during their two peak generations—the first in late spring (May/June) and the second, often larger, generation in late summer (August/September). Keep your camera lens free of cobwebs, as the IR light can reflect off them and wash out the image of a small, dark insect.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Cabbage Moth.

Large Yellow Underwing

Displays bright orange-yellow hindwings in flight, whereas the Cabbage Moth has uniform pale grey hindwings.

Nutmeg Moth

Smaller and lacks the prominent white kidney-shaped spot (stigma) and the specific tibial spur found on the Cabbage Moth.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Cabbage Moths are strictly nocturnal insects. They remain hidden and camouflaged during the day and are most active from about an hour after sunset until the early hours of the morning.

You can attract them by planting host plants like cabbage, kale, or broccoli, or by using nectar-rich night-blooming flowers. Additionally, a 'sugar trap' made of fermented fruit and sugar is an excellent way to lure them in front of a camera.

Adult Cabbage Moths feed on the nectar of various flowers. However, their larvae are famous for their broad diet, consuming the leaves and hearts of cabbage, broccoli, tomatoes, and even tobacco plants.

Yes, they are very common in suburban environments. Because they feed on a wide variety of garden vegetables and ornamental plants, they thrive in residential gardens and allotments.

The easiest way is their activity cycle: Large Whites are bright white butterflies active during the day, while Cabbage Moths are mottled brown-grey moths active only at night.

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