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Pyrausta aurata (Scopoli, 1763)

Mint Moth
(Small Purple and Gold)
63.0060 (B&F: 1361)

Synonym(s):
Pyrausta punicealis ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)


»Suborder: Glossata
  »Superfamily: Pyraloidea
    »Family: Crambidae
      »Subfamily: Pyraustinae
        »Tribe: Endotrichini

Number of records: 2,851
Recorded in: 429 1km grid squares
Date of most recent record: 07 ix 2024
Identification 
difficulty 
: 2Adult: Can be confused with other species

A resident species usually occurring sparingly, although it is sometimes fairly common to common. Well distributed, probably generally so on and near the downs, but local and episodic in any numbers. Double-brooded, flying mainly from the second week of May to the third week of June and again, more numerously, from mid June to mid September. However adults have been seen during every week from early April to the first week of October. Larvae feed on marjoram and catmint. (Pratt, 2011).

Pyrausta aurata
Steyning, 03 v 2022
Photo: Olly Ellis
Pyrausta aurata
Queens Park, Brighton, 22 vii 2020
Photo: Colin Piper
Pyrausta aurata
Hastings, 01 viii 2020
Photo: Angela Bogie
Pyrausta aurata
Crowborough, 15 viii 2014
Photo: Charles Waters
Pyrausta aurata
larva
Crowborough, 22 x 2020
Photo: Charles Waters
Pyrausta aurata
Battle, 22 vi 2023
Photo: David Gardiner
Pyrausta aurata
Findon, 11 vii 2023
Photo: John Christlieb

Gallery

Distribution at 1km scale

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distribution map

Phenology (adult)

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phenology

Phenology (larval)

larval phenology
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