Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Moth Week 2: Orange Mint Moth

Orange Mint Moth:  Pyrausta orphisalis Walker, 1859  
If you saw this colourful little moth fluttering around your spearmint, I suppose you needn't be please. It's larvae do feed on members of the mint family. But, I can't say that I've ever noticed any damage, although the moth is a regular inhabitant of the Home Bug Garden. If they start chewing on the Gardenview Scarlet Monarda I just planted, well, maybe I'll exert some natural selection, but otherwise it just another organism trying to survive in the Big City.



Pyrausta orphisalis Walker, 1859
Orange Mint Moth, Oranged-Spotted Pyrausta
Crambidae – Snout Moths
Wingspan 15-17 mm
Caterpillars feed on members of the mint family including Monarda

1 comment: