Ostrinia penitalis, the American lotus borer, is a moth in the family Crambidae.

[1] It is found from Mexico, through Central America to Amazonas, Brazil.

[2] It is also found in North America, where it has been recorded from Quebec to British Columbia and most of the United States.

Adults have been recorded on wing from May to September in the northern part of the range.

The larvae feed on Nelumbo lutea and Polygonum species.