Pyrausta cardinalis is a moth in the Crambidae family. It was described by Guenée in 1854. It is found in Florida, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and on the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The wingspan is about 12 mm. The wings are translucent pink with a large black patch on forewings and a black terminal area on the hindwings. There is orange scaling on the head, thorax and the base of the forewings. Adults have been recorded on wing in March in Florida.