Pyrausta purpuralis

Pyrausta purpuralis is a species of moth of the family Crambidae. It was described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae

Pyrausta purpuralis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Genus: Pyrausta
Species:
P. purpuralis
Binomial name
Pyrausta purpuralis
Synonyms
  • Phalaena (Pyralis) purpuralis Linnaeus, 1758
  • Pyrausta purpuralis chermesinalis Guenée, 1854
  • Phalaena inflammata Scopoli, 1763
  • Pyralis punicealis Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775
  • Botys niepoldalis Lederer, 1863
  • Pyrausta confundalis Zetterstedt, 1839
  • Pyrausta melanalis Caradja, 1916

Distribution

Is found in Europe.


Description

The species closely resembles Pyrausta aurata and Pyrausta ostrinalis. It is also known by the common name Common Purple & Gold.

The wingspan is about 20 mm. The forewings are purple, more or less mixed with dark grey; markings ochreous yellow, black-edged; an oblique fascia near base, not reaching costa; a spot in middle of disc; an irregular postmedian fascia, sometimes broken into three spots; sometimes a subterminal streak, not reaching apex. Hindwings are black, base sometimes suffused with whitish-ochreous; a discal spot and curved postmedian fascia whitish-ochreous; sometimes a whitish-ochreous subterminal streak, sometimes purple in middle. The larva is dark grey; dorsal and spiracular lines yellowish; spots black, whitish-edged.[1]

  • Pyrausta purpuralis ♂
    Pyrausta purpuralis ♂
  • Pyrausta purpuralis ♂ △
    Pyrausta purpuralis ♂ △

Biology

The moth flies from May to September depending on the location. The species is active during the day.

The larvae feed on mint.

References
  1. Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Keys and description
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