Fauna
Insect

Common Crimson-and-gold Moth

Pyrausta purpuralis

Also known as Crimson and Gold Moth, Crimson and Gold

Common crimson-and-gold moths flutter briskly through sunlit meadows and herb-rich hillsides across Eurasia, often mistaken for small butterflies due to their day-flying habits. Their striking deep purple-red forewings are patterned with vivid golden-yellow spots and bands that flash brilliantly in flight. Caterpillars spin loose silk webs on wild thyme, mint, and oregano, feeding safely within the foliage before pupating.

Day-flyingColorfulPollinator
Common Crimson-and-gold Moth reference1 / 7
(c) Kostas Zontanos, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kostas Zontanos · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyFloral nectar, Wild thyme, Mint species
Predators
  • Insectivorous birds
  • Orb-weaver spiders
  • Robber flies
ThreatsHabitat loss from agricultural intensification and herbicide application
HabitatsDry grasslands, meadows, chalk downlands, heathlands, and sunny garden borders
Life span1 to 3 weeks as adult; 1 year total life cycle
Classification
  1. OrderLepidoptera
  2. FamilyCrambidae
  3. GenusPyrausta
  4. SpeciesPyrausta purpuralis
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Spotting: Search sunny grasslands and herb patches during warm daylight hours when adults actively forage.
  • Host Plants: Inspect wild thyme or oregano patches for resting adults or small webbed leaves.
  • Approach: Avoid casting sudden shadows over low vegetation, as adults easily flush when startled.
Related species
Keep collecting in Fauna

Found in Collections

Species set

Moonlight Marvels

Common Crimson-and-gold Moth is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.

—/7
Continue in the app
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…