| Pyrausta aurata | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Crambidae |
| Genus: | Pyrausta |
| Species: | P. aurata |
| Binomial name | |
| Pyrausta aurata Scopoli, 1763 |
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| Synonyms | |
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The mint moth (Pyrausta aurata) is a small moth from the family Crambidae, active by day.
The purplish-brown wings have a span from 10 to 15 millimetres, and a single golden yellow spot on each overwing and underwing. The moth is very similar to the related Pyrausta purpuralis, a slightly larger moth with a larger number of yellow spots.
As the name suggests, the mint moth often uses mint as a food plant, though it can also be found on other species such as marjoram. In north-west Europe it can be seen from April until the end of September, and is capable of having two generations in each season.