| Mint moth | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pyrausta aurata | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Crambidae |
| Genus: | Pyrausta |
| Species: | P. aurata |
| Binomial name | |
| Pyrausta aurata | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The mint moth (Pyrausta aurata) is a small moth from the family Crambidae, also known by the common name Small Purple and Gold. [1]
This species can be found in most of Europe [2] and it is also widespread in North Africa and North Asia. In the east it is present from Siberia to North China, Korea and Japan, [3] in the south, it covers Asia Minor, the Middle East, Iran, [4] Afghanistan, Middle Asia and Mongolia. [5]
These moths inhabit chalk and limestone grassland, woodland, marshland and gardens. [6]
Pyrausta aurata has a wingspan of 18–20 millimetres (0.71–0.79 in). [7] The forewings are purplish-brown with golden yellow markings. [7] The number and intensity of these markings is quite variable. Usually in the forewings there is a single postmedian round golden spot near the costa, often with some other minor golden spots. [8] [9] The yellow spots can also be greatly reduced up to the complete absence. Sometimes there is an almost indistinct wavy golden postmedian line between the dorsum and the main golden spot. [8] [9] The hindwings are dark brown or also black with a broad yellow transverse band approximately in the wing center and without additional spot closer to the basal area.
The moth is very similar to the related Pyrausta purpuralis , a slightly larger moth with a broad postmedian continuous band, usually divided into at least three yellow spots. [10]
The caterpillar can reach a length of 13 mm. It may be light green, dark green, light brown, black gray or reddish, with a darker back line. The head is brownish black. Pupa is quite slender, red-brown to black-brown. [11] [12]
In the UK, it has two broods; in May/June, and July/August. [7] In north-west Europe it can be seen from April until the end of September and is capable of having two generations in each season.
It flies both at day and at night. [7] As the name suggests, the mint moth often uses mint ( Mentha spicata . Mentha rotundifolia ) as a food plant, though it can also be found on other species such as marjoram, Salvia pratensis , Melissa officinalis , Nepeta cataria and Calamintha species. [7]
Papilio glaucus, the eastern tiger swallowtail, is a species of butterfly native to eastern North America. It is one of the most familiar butterflies in the eastern United States, ranging north to southern Ontario, Canada, and is common in many different habitats. It flies from spring until fall, during which it produces two to three broods. Adults feed on the nectar of many species of flowers, mostly from those of the families Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, and Fabaceae. P. glaucus has a wingspan measuring 7.9 to 14 cm. The male is yellow with four black "tiger stripes" on each forewing. Females may be either yellow or black, making them dimorphic. The yellow morph is similar to the male, but with a conspicuous band of blue spots along the hindwing, while the dark morph is almost completely black.
The buff ermine is a moth of the family Erebidae. It is sometimes placed in the genus Spilosoma. The species was first described by Johann Siegfried Hufnagel in 1766. It is found throughout the temperate belt of the Palearctic region south to northern Turkey, Georgia, Kazakhstan, southern Siberia, eastern Mongolia, Amur Region, China, Korea and Japan.
The brimstone moth is a moth of the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae. It should not be confused with the brimstone butterfly Gonepteryx rhamni.
The large skipper is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae.
Colias croceus, clouded yellow, is a small butterfly of the family Pieridae, the yellows and whites.
The map is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.
Melitaea diamina, the false heath fritillary, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.
Cupha erymanthis, the rustic, is a species of brush-footed butterfly found in forested areas of tropical South Asia and Southeast Asia. The males and females are identical.
The purple-edged copper is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae.
The black arches or nun moth is a small Palaearctic moth. It is considered a forest pest.
The brindled beauty is a Palearctic moth belonging to the family Geometridae.
Lomographa temerata, the clouded silver, is a moth of the family Geometridae. The species is found in Asia and Europe and was first described by Michael Denis and Ignaz Schiffermüller in 1775.
Pyrausta despicata, the straw-barred pearl, is a species of moth of the family Crambidae. It was described by Giovanni Antonio Scopoli in his 1763 Entomologia Carniolica.
Pyrausta purpuralis is a species of moth of the family Crambidae. It was described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae
Phragmatobia fuliginosa, the ruby tiger, is a moth of the family Erebidae.
Boloria eunomia, the bog fritillary or ocellate bog fritillary is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.
Callophrys gryneus, the juniper hairstreak or olive hairstreak, is a butterfly native to North America. It belongs in the family Lycaenidae.
Chlosyne lacinia, the bordered patch or sunflower patch, is a North and South American butterfly in the family Nymphalidae.
Cosmorhoe is a monotypic moth genus in the family Geometridae erected by Jacob Hübner in 1825. Its only species, Cosmorhoe ocellata, the purple bar, was described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.
Chlorostrymon simaethis, the silver-banded hairstreak, is a North and South American butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is also known as St. Christopher's hairstreak and the Key lime hairstreak.
