Common Crimson and Gold Moth (Pyrausta purpuralis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Pyrausta ("fire starting") purpuralis ("purple coloured")

Adult European Peacock (subspecies P. p. minimalis) at Geddington, Northants - August 2011

Featured Subspecies: Pysrausta purpuralis minimalis
Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 20mm
UK Status: Least Concern / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated

This species was found on a walk near my home in Northants, and appears to be a species which is primarily known by its Latin name, and it wasn't until a while later that I managed to track down a common name for it.  It is a member of the "mint moths" group, so named because they feed on mint.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Genus: Pyrausta
SUBSPECIES: P. p. minimalis

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A fairly common resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Geddington

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Cydalima ("glorious") perspectalis ("renowened")

Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) at Geddington, Northants, UK - August 2026

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 40-45mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A species originally from continental Asia that has only arrived in Europe in recent years, first being sighted in Great Britain in 2009, and has extended its range through much of Europe and North America. As the name suggests, it is a specialist of eating Box plants which in its non-native range can cause enormous damage to local species.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Genus: Cydalima
SUBSPECIES: ? 
 
- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A fairly common resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Geddington 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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