Photo © Mike Wall

Pyrausta aurata

Checklist Number
63.006 [B&F: 1361]

Verification
Record will be accepted (subject to date and location checks)

Classification

Family:Crambidae
Subfamily:Pyraustinae
Genus:Pyrausta
Species:aurata
Authority:(Scopoli, 1763)

Local, on chalk downland and open, grassy areas, discontinuously throughout much of England, Wales and southern Scotland. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight, sometimes abundant on the downs, but also in gardens amongst cultivated mint. Wingspan 15-18mm. Flies by day and night. The main confusion species is P. purpuralis which is larger and occurs less frequently in gardens. P. aurata has fewer cream spots on the forewing and the spot near the dorsal edge is either absent or small and broken into three parts. P. purpuralis has a rounded leading edge to the dorsal cream spot. Note that the purple scales apparent when freshly emerged quickly wear off and leave just a brown appearance. Larva feeds on Mint, Marjoram and Thyme, living within a silken tube or tent.

The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:

No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Adult
Larval

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)