Mint Moth

I came across this pretty little moth resting on some Thyme in my back garden on a sunny late afternoon a few days ago, grabbed my camera and managed to take this picture before it flew off. I had seen this species earlier in the year and struggling with the identity, mailed some rather poor photos to my friend Jeff Higgott for help. He soon identified it as a Mint Moth Pyrausta aurata. Incidentally if you are interested in moths check out Jeff's excellent website, UK Lepidoptera, (it's in the links), which contains a vast collection of photographs of the moths he has seen, many of which have been trapped over the years in his Suffolk garden, where he has recorded an astonishing 994 species to date.

Pyrausta aurata is tiny, with a wingspan of around 18 mm and flies both by day and night in May and June, and again in July and August. The larvae feed on members of the Mint family including popular garden plants such as Lemon Balm, Catmint and Apple Mint and the adults can be seen throughout England, Wales and southern Scotland. The Mint Moth can be easily confused with Pyrausta purpuralis as both have similar bright crimson and gold markings. They can be distinguished by the differing pattern of gold markings on the forewing, with Pyrausta aurata having a round golden spot near the costa, although this can be variable, and Pyrausta purpuralis having three marks that sometimes form a continuous band. Pyrausta purpuralis is less likely to be seen in gardens preferring chalk downland and dry grassland.

Mint Moths, when fresh have beautiful rich markings, but when worn like the individual below, fade to a duller brown and yellow colour.

Mint Moth Pyrausta aurata on Thymus (22/08/2010)

The photograph below, taken in early June is of a fresh Mint Moth, and clearly shows a richer crimson and gold colouration, although this individual has weaker gold markings on the forewing.

Mint Moth Pyrausta aurata on Thymus (06/06/2010)