Note: the Small White species of butterfly is commonly called a "cabbage moth" in North America.

The Cabbage Moth (Mamestra brassicae) is a common European moth of the family Noctuidae.

This species varies considerably in size, with a wingspan of 34–50 mm. The forewings are brown and mottled with a prominent white-edged stigma and a broken white sub terminal line. The hind wings are grey, darker towards the termen. The prominent spur on the tibia of the foreleg is a diagnostic feature, though is best viewed with a magnifying lens. This moth has a rather complex life history: two or three broods are produced each year and adults can be seen at any time from May to October, occasionally at other times ^[1]. It flies at night and is attracted to light, sugar and nectar-rich flowers.

The larva is green, khaki, grey-brown or brown with dark spots. The topside is darker than the bottom side and a yellow or light brown stripe goes round the middle portion by the spots. They grow to about an inch long before pupating, As the common and scientific names suggest, it can be a pest of cultivated brassicas and sweet peas, but it feeds on a wide range of other plants (see list below). Due to its complex life history, this species overwinters either as a larva or a pupa.