Mint moth

This species can be found in most of Europe and it is also widespread in North Africa and North Asia. In the east it is present from Siberia to North China, Korea and Japan, in the south, it covers Asia Minor, the Middle East, Iran, Afghanistan, Middle Asia and Mongolia. ==Habitat==

These moths inhabit chalk and limestone grassland, woodland, marshland and gardens. ==Description==

Pyrausta aurata has a wingspan of . The forewings are purplish-brown with golden yellow markings. The yellow spots can also be greatly reduced up to complete absence. Sometimes there is an almost indistinct wavy golden postmedian line between the dorsum and the main golden spot. The caterpillar can reach a length of 13 mm. It may be light green, dark green, light brown, black, grey, or reddish, with a darker back line. The head is brownish black. The pupa is quite slender, red-brown to black-brown. ==Biology==

In the UK, it has two broods; in May/June, and July/August. 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. It flies both at day and at night. As the name suggests, the mint moth often uses mint (Mentha spicata. Mentha rotundifolia) as a food plant, though it can also be found on other species such as marjoram, Salvia pratensis, Melissa officinalis, Nepeta cataria and Calamintha species. ==Gallery==

File:Pyrausta purpuralis2.jpg|Mating File:Pyrausta aurata caterpillar (11966222093).jpg|Caterpillar File: Mint moth (pyrausta aurata) first brood.jpg|First brood. File: Pyraustinae - Pyrausta aurata.JPG|Second brood ==References==