Just found this on the mint

[leigh]

Hi, can anyone help id this moth i found feeding on the mint in the garden.



Thanks

[charlieb]

Mint moth (Pyrausta aurata)?

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by charlieb

Mint moth (Pyrausta aurata)?

Agree- get a few of these on the Marjoram in the garden, which I mainly grow for insects anyway.

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by leigh

Hi, can anyone help id this moth i found feeding on the mint in the garden.



Thanks

I think what you have is Pyrausta purpuralis, which along with the very closely related P. aurata are coloqually called Mint Moth ! As adults and larvae they feed on many plants of the mint family (labiatae) and the larvae can cause quite a lot of damage to the flower heads of mint, marjoram etc. The adults of course are nectar feeders and can form small swarms around their food plants when they are in flower.

CM

[Kayleigh]

I get them on the rosemary there is always one on there but I have not been lucky enough to catch it with the camera yet.

[Jenny W]

I think this is P. aurata rather than P. purpuralis, going by the yellow markings on the forewings. purpuralis would have more extensive yellow markings extending across the forewing in either a continuous band or two or three distinct spots. This one has only one yellow patch near the edge of the forewing. I don't know how much they vary mind, so I could be wrong.

[JRsbugs]

I think it's more likely to be Pyrausta aurata surely?

P. purpuralis has more or less continuous yellow marks across the wing.

UKMoths - Pyrausta aurata

(Just saw your post Jenny!)

Janet

[leigh]

Thanks very much. They can eat as much mint as they like. I think they look nice.

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

I think it's more likely to be Pyrausta aurata surely?

P. purpuralis has more or less continuous yellow marks across the wing.

UKMoths - Pyrausta aurata

(Just saw your post Jenny!)

Janet

Yes - I'm seeing wavvy yellow lines where there are none ! P. aurata it is.


CM