# Mint Moth (*Pyrausta aurata*) The Mint Moth is a small, colorful insect that loves to flutter around mint plants. Its bright green and gold wings make it look like a tiny jewel in the garden! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Gardens ![Mint Moth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Mint_moth_segl.jpg&width=800) Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Seglea assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mint_moth_segl.jpg) ## Appearance The Mint Moth has striking metallic purplish-red wings adorned with bright, irregular yellow spots and a distinctive white fringe along the edges. Its vibrant coloration makes it easily stand out against green foliage compared to other small moths. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Crambidae - **Genus:** Pyrausta ## Interesting facts - Its caterpillars love to munch on mint leaves, making them taste quite strong! - Look closely, and you might see shimmering gold dust on their vibrant wings! - Mint Moths are active during the day, fluttering among garden flowers in the sunshine. - They have a long straw-like tongue, perfect for sipping sugary flower nectar. ## Special abilities - **Proboscis Power:** Mint Moth has a long, straw-like proboscis that helps them sip sweet nectar deep inside flowers. - **Flavor Shield:** Mint Moth caterpillars eat mint plants, which might make them taste unpleasant to some predators. - **Quick Generations:** Mint Moths can complete their life cycle quickly, allowing them to have several broods in a single warm season. - **Daytime Flier:** Mint Moths can fly during the day, which helps them find flowers for nectar when other moths are resting. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 15-20 mm - **Size:** 7-10 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-20 days - **Flight Speed:** 5 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch on mint leaves, while adult moths sip sweet flower nectar. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat plant leaves, while adults feed solely on flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Mentha spicata, Origanum vulgare, Thymus vulgaris, Buddleja davidii, Taraxacum officinale, Rubus fruticosus - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Spearmint (*Mentha spicata*) — Larvae feed on the leaves. - **Eaten by:** Wild Marjoram (*Origanum vulgare*) — Caterpillars also feed on these leaves. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Birds like tits prey on adult moths. - **Pollinates:** [Dandelion](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dandelion) (*Taraxacum officinale*) — Adults visit dandelions for nectar. ## Traits - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Don't touch moths; just watch them fly around and enjoy their beauty! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Mint Moth? Compare resting wing shape, forewing markings, antennae and body build. Small brown moths can hinge on fine details a phone photo can't always catch. Moth Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Mint Moth's wingspan? 15-20 mm ### How big is Mint Moth? 7-10 mm ### How long does Mint Moth live? 10-20 days ### How fast can Mint Moth fly? 5 km/h ### What does Mint Moth eat? Caterpillars munch on mint leaves, while adult moths sip sweet flower nectar. ### Where is Mint Moth usually found? Gardens ### How does Mint Moth hunt? Foraging ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Mint Moth: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mint-moth)