Pyrausta aurata, Crete - photo © K. Bormpoudaki
Pyrausta aurata
MOTH INFO
Pyrausta aurata is a moth of the family Crambidae on the island of Crete, Greece.
Scientific name
Pyrausta aurata (Scopoli, 1763)
Synonyms
Pyrausta auratus (Scopoli, 1763)
Phalaena aurata (Scopoli, 1763)
Common name
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 markings. 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
Flight period
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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