Tiny butterfly - id please

[Words]

I saw this tiny butterfly (about 10mm span, perhaps) this afternoon. No idea what it is though

[Deer Stalker]

Hi Words.

Its a micro moth called Pyrausta aurata.

Its larvae feeds on mint.

[Words]

Thanks Deer Stalker. Interesting... it was also flitting on the cat mint. I presume that counts as mint as well.

[Bramble]

Some moons ago, I found a caterpillar in the garden and took it in - and it hatched into this type of moth. I always thought it was a Gold Triangle but this is definitely it (I drew a pic before I let it go). I will look back my little book to find out what it was sitting on - we do have mint Being in Dundee, is that quite far north for one of these?

[trealawboy]

They come to oregano in my garden.

[Bramble]

Yup, my critter was ambling along some pineapple mint (mentha suaveolens variegata). The caterpillar was rather cartoon-like in that is seemed to be constructed of little green bobbles. It pupated involuti (wrapped in silk between two leaves). Very pretty little thing.

[honeybee]

They're pretty little things. My nan has lots in her garden and there was one on the oregano in my parents garden too.

A few ways to tell butterflies or moths appart (although some break the rules) are: Moths usually have feathery antenae and butterfly, straight.

Butterflies are usually diurnal and sun loving and moths more nocturnal or active at dusk.

Butterflies usually sit with their wings closed together while moths have theirs lying open like that little chap.

[Wes]

One of our more colourful moths. Good photo.

[Dickindevon]

Thanks for the ID, I took a picture of one last year and never managed to identify it!

[wildone]

Your moth looks more like - Pyrausta purpuralis - to me. It has more white markings on the forewings than - Pyrausta aurata -. Both are day and night flying moths and are flying during August.