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UK Nature > Moths > Pyrausta aurata
Scientific Name: Pyrausta aurata Common Name: Mint Moth Pyrausta aurata, more commonly known as the Mint Moth, has a wingspan of around 16-18 mm and is is superficially similar to the closely-related Pyrausta purpuralis, but this species has generally fewer gold markings on the wings, with a single distinct gold spot on the forewing. It was a rarity up to about a hundred years ago; nowadays becoming quite common, at least locally, because of mint, its larvae's food source of choice, being planted more often in suburban gardens; hence its common name. Locally common in England, Wales and southern Scotland. The adults fly from mid May until the end of June and from mid July until mid September, both in sunshine and after dark, and readily come to light. The larvae feed on various wild herbs, including mint (Mentha sp.) and marjoram (Origanum vulgare). When young, they live on the under surface of a leaf , but later they change to the flowers where they spin a web. |
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