Pyrausta aurata, Crete - photo © K. Bormpoudaki

Pyrausta aurata, Crete - photo © K. Bormpoudaki

 Pyrausta aurata (Scopoli, 1763)

MOTH INFO

Pyrausta aurata is a moth of the family Crambidae on the island of Crete, Greece.

Scientific name

Pyrausta aurata (Scopoli, 1763)

Pyrausta auratus (Scopoli, 1763)

Phalaena aurata (Scopoli, 1763)

Common name
Mint Moth
Classification

Superfamily: Pyraloidea > Family: Crambidae > Subfamily: Pyraustinae > Tribus: Pyraustini > Genus: Pyrausta

Wingspan

16-20 mm

Appearance

The forewings are purple-brown with several golden-yellow markongs. On the upperside of the forewings there is a postmedian mark, a round golden blotch near the costa. Usually there are also some small golden marks between it and the costa.

The hindwings are dark brown or even black with a broad yellow transverse band approximately in the middle of the wing and without additional spots closer to the basal area.

The moth is very similar to the slightly larger moth Pyrausta purpuralis, but has a broad postmedian continuous band on the upperside of the forewings, which is usually divided into at least three yellow spots.

Identification tip: Observation of the “gull-shaped" mark near the trailing edge of the forewing (see next photo).

Habitat

Fallow land, gardens.

Food plant
The larva is oligophagous on Labiatae (Mentha aquatica, Mentha longifolia, Melissa officinalis, Origanum vulgare, Salvia, Thymus).
Flight period
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
List

Lepiforum e. V.

Lepidoptera Mundi

Moths and Butterflies of Europe and North Africa

Plant Parasites of Europe

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