Micro moth

[Zonda]

Is this another species of Mint moth, or a separate species altogether. Grateful for an ID. Cheers

[Zonda]

No takers?

[Pete Eeles]

I believe this is Pyrausta purpuralis - may be wrong!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Zonda]

Thanks for that.

[Zonda]

Just returning to this puzzle for a minute, after a bit of googling and such. Could it be that my original post was Pyrausta aurata (auratus is golden or gilded in the Latin), and this one photographed last year is Pyrausta purpuralis which has definite shades of purple on it. Is my theory correct??

[Pete Eeles]

... this one photographed last year is Pyrausta purpuralis

This looks like Pyrausta aurata to me. This might help:

http://upperthames-butterflies.org.uk/M ... _moths.pdf

Cheers,

- Pete

[Zonda]

Hmm! Seems that both species have purple colouration when fresh, and variable markings. I think my first pic is an older insect that's lost its colour, and that threw me a bit. I think you are right. They are another of the immense benefits of marjoram, of which i have loads. Although, getting an ID doesn't really matter much,,,, they're only moths.

[Piers]

Zonda,

Your first pic is of a very freash moth, a newly emerged P. purpuralis. It's possible that it quickly loses this dusting of golden scales upon the first couple of flights.

Felix.

[Neil Hulme]

Hi Zonda,
I think Pete's correct. The recent one is P. purpuralis (aberrant) and last year's shot is of P. aurata. Confusing? Yes. That said, moths ain't my bag, so if any moth-er knows better, I'd take his/her word.
Neil

[Zonda]

I'm not that enthusiastic about moths, but i do like to be able to name the stuff i see. These micro moths have to be a vast study, and many, i would have thought must go unnoticed. I take my hat off to the moth experts. I think i'll go with Pete's first ID, and leave it at that. Thanks for all the input.

[Piers]

The recent one is P. purpuralis (aberrant) Neil

I think it's a typical specimen rather than an aberration. It's just newly emerged...

Felix.