# Volupial Mint Moth (*pyrausta volupialis*) The Volupial Mint Moth is a colorful little insect that loves to flit around mint plants. Its vibrant wings make it look like a piece of art in nature! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Volupial Mint Moths can be found in gardens and fields where mint grows abundantly. - **Also known as:** Green Mint Moth, Peppermint Moth ![Volupial Mint Moth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Pyrausta_volupialis.jpg&width=800) Photo: Ken-ichi Ueda, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pyrausta_volupialis.jpg) ## Appearance The Volupial Mint Moth is a small, vibrant insect with bright mint-green forewings often adorned with reddish-brown or purplish markings. Its hindwings are typically grayish-brown. This distinct green coloration makes it stand out from most other small moths. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Crambidae - **Genus:** Pyrausta ## Interesting facts - Baby mint moths, caterpillars, munch only on mint leaves to grow big! - Its 'Volupial' name likely comes from its love for sweet flower nectar! - Its minty green wings are a perfect camouflage among the plants it loves! - These tiny moths taste with their feet to find the sweetest flower nectar! ## Special abilities - **Chemical Camouflage:** Volupial Mint Moth has chemical camouflage, absorbing mint compounds to smell and look like its food plant, making it hard for predators to find. - **Nectar Navigator:** Volupial Mint Moth can find flowers in the dark because of excellent night vision and a powerful sense of smell for nectar. - **Rapid Life Cycle:** Volupial Mint Moth can quickly reproduce because its short larval stage allows for multiple generations in one season. - **Pollen Power-up:** Volupial Mint Moth has fuzzy legs and body to carry pollen, helping pollinate flowers as it sips their nectar. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-35 mm - **Size:** 8-15 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-20 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Tiny plant-eaters that love the sweet nectar from flowers and fresh mint leaves! - **Age differences:** Larvae (caterpillars) eat mint leaves, while adults drink nectar from flowers. - **Primary Foods:** Mint leaves, Flower nectar, Spearmint, Peppermint - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Spearmint (*Mentha spicata*) — Its caterpillars munch on its leaves to grow. - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — A common nocturnal hunter that preys on moths. - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Feeds on larvae and adults if found during the day. - **Pollinates:** Purple Coneflower (*Echinacea purpurea*) — Visits its blooms to collect nectar and spread pollen. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [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. - [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:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Volupial 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 Volupial Mint Moth's wingspan? 20-35 mm ### How big is Volupial Mint Moth? 8-15 mm ### How long does Volupial Mint Moth live? 10-20 days ### How fast can Volupial Mint Moth fly? 8 km/h ### What does Volupial Mint Moth eat? Tiny plant-eaters that love the sweet nectar from flowers and fresh mint leaves! ### Where is Volupial Mint Moth usually found? Volupial Mint Moths can be found in gardens and fields where mint grows abundantly. ### How does Volupial Mint Moth hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Micke Grove Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/micke-grove-zoo) — California, US · Zoo - [Woodthrush Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/woodthrush-park) — California, US · Park ## 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: [Volupial Mint Moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/volupial-mint-moth)