Sitochroa verticalis, common name lesser pearl, is a species of moth of the family Crambidae.

The distribution extends from west Portugal, across Central and Eastern Europe, Siberia[1] to the Russian Far East and Japan.

In the north the area extends to southern Sweden, in the south to Italy.

[2] These moths prefer open landscape with dry or slightly humid grassy areas.

[5] The larvae feed on a variety of herbaceous plants, mainly on Cirsium arvense,[6] Cytisus scoparius, Viola odorata, Centaurea jacea, Atriplex, Rumex, Teucrium, Diplotaxis, Nettle and Sarothamnus species.