Insect · GBIF taxon 1890772
Common Crimson-and-gold Moth
Pyrausta purpuralisAlso 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
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Floral 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
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyCrambidae
- GenusPyrausta
- SpeciesPyrausta purpuralis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- 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.
Host Plant (c) Carlos Otávio Gussoni, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Carlos Otávio Gussoni · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Kostas Zontanos, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kostas Zontanos · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Nigel Voaden, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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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.
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