Pyrausta purpuralis, Crete - photo © K. Bormpoudaki
Pyrausta purpuralis
MOTH INFO
Pyrausta purpuralis is a moth of the family Crambidae on the island of Crete, Greece.
Scientific name
Pyrausta purpuralis
Pyrausta melanalis (Caradja, 1916)
Phalaena purpuralis
Botys purpurata
Common name
Pyrauste pourprée
Classification
Superfamily: Pyraloidea > Family: Crambidae > Subfamily: Pyraustinae > Tribus: Pyraustini > Genus: Pyrausta
Wingspan
15-22 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.
Pyrausta purpuralis is very similar to the slightly smaller moth Pyrausta aurata, 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
Lake shores, dry shrubland, phrygana.
Food plant
Flight period
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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