[Aim]  To identify a new pest damaging strawberries on a farm in Miyun District, Beijing, understand its impact and occurrence, and implement effective control measures. [Methods]  The species was identified through morphological and molecular identification and the damage caused by it was observed. A prevention and control experiment was carried out by alternately spraying spinetoram SC and Bacillus thuringiensis at the affected farm. [Results]  The pest was the European pepper moth, Duponchelia fovealis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Spilomelinae). Native to Southern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, this moth has now spread to all major continents except Australia. This is the first report of this species in China as an invasive pest. Larvae of this pest are polyphagous and feed on over 140 crops from 65 plant families, including strawberry, pepper, and golden pothos. The larvae feed on the tender leaves, stems, and fruits of plants. D. fovealis often attacks crops and flowers grown in greenhouses and outdoor nurseries in Northern Europe and North America. Larvae are often hidden in the soil, making them difficult to detect. On the farm on which this pest was first reported in China, about 35% of strawberry plants had been damaged by it. The population of this moth in Miyun was successfully controlled by alternately spraying 60 g/L spinetoram SC (equivalent to 30 mL/667 m²; 2 000-fold dilution) and Bacillus thuringiensis wettable powder G033A 32 000 IU/mg 100 g/acre (600-fold dilution). [Conclusion]  The European pepper moth is now present in China. Therefore, it is recommended that the relevant authorities strengthen quarantine and monitoring measures for this pest. If further outbreaks are detected, effective prevention and control measures should be implemented promptly to mitigate damage to agricultural crops and horticultural plants.