Pyraustinae are a subfamily of the Grass Moths (Crambidae) and comprise approximately 1,400 species worldwide, most of which occur in the tropics. Previously this family was seen as a subfamily of the snout moths (Pyralidae). They have a slender body, wide wings, and the abdomen often extends beyond the hindwings. Many species have larvae that bore into the stem or fruit of plants.
Genus: Anania
Ochreous Pearl – 2009 (NL)
(NCBI-index: 1.100908)
It took quite a while to identify the Ochreous Pearl (Anania crocealis). Eventually, I bought the proper literature that clearly stated it. Taking the photo’s lousy sharpness and the micro-moth’s position did not help either. Luckily, in 2023, I finally saw this moth again and took a better picture. The primary colour of the forewing is light yellow, sometimes darker specimens, with two brownish transverse lines that meander over the wing. A dark point can still be seen on some specimens. This grass moth flies in one generation from the end of May to September and has a 22-25mm wingspan. The larvae feed in the centre of a shoot. Host plant: Common Fleabane. Dutch name: Gegolfde lichtmot. Frisian name: –
Flying period:
Genus: Anania
Small Magpie – 2016 (NL)
(NCBI-index: 1.594229)
The Small Magpie (Anania hortulata) has a striking appearance and is a larger species within the grass moth group. The top of the thorax is primarily yellow, and the rest of the body consists of alternating yellow and brown bands. The ground colour of the wing is white, with a band of brown spots on the ends of both wings. Near the apex of the wings is a second row of brown spots. It flies in one generation from June to August and has a 24-28mm wingspan. The larvae can be found in a spun or rolled leaf before developing in a silk cocoon in a hollow stem or under the bark. Host plant: Nettle. Dutch name: Bonte brandnetelmot. Frisian name: –
Flying period:
Genus: Anania
Spotted Magpie – 2017 (NL)
(NCBI-index: 1.107567)
The Spotted Magpie (Anania coronata) is an easily recognizable micro-moth. The wings are dark brown with a few large off-white spots. There are several more minor white spots outside of those spots. The flight time in one generation is from June to August, and it is active at night. The wingspan is 22-26mm, and the larvae feed on silk on the underside of a young leaf. Host plant: Ash, Privet, Lilac, and Elder. Dutch name: Gewone coronamot. Frisian name: –
Flying period:
Genus: Anania
Fenland Pearl – 2020 (NL)
(NCBI-index: 1.140612)
In line with its name, the Fenland Pearl (Anania perlucidalis) has a round forewing and a pearly translucent white colour with a dark moon-shaped spot halfway down the costa. On both the fore- and hindwing, two dark brown wavy lines are visible along the termen, the outermost of which is wider than the inner. The flying period in one generation is from June to August, and the wingspan is 21-23mm. The larvae feed on the underside of a rolled leaf. Host plant: Creeping Thistle and Marsh Thistle. Dutch name: Donkere coronamot. Frisian name: –
Flying period:
Genus: Cnaphalocrocis
Rice Leafroller – 2010 (JP)
(NCBI-index: 437488)
The Rice Leafroller (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis) is a species not found in Europe. I spotted this grass moth in Japan during a working visit to Kyoto. The wings are brownish-yellow with two distinct dark brown transverse lines. The fringe line consists of a brownish band, and the costa of the wing is brown-black. The larva folds a leaf lengthwise and spins it closed, after which it feeds on the green tissue. Host plant: Rice. Dutch name: Rijstbladroller. Frisian name: –
Genus: Ostrinia
European Corn-borer – 2009 (NL)
(NCBI-index: 29057)
The European Corn-borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) is a micro-moth commonly found in the Netherlands. The male and female differ in colour from each other. The top of the male’s forewing is usually reddish-brown to brown, and of the female yellowish white. There is a yellow band on the outside of the median transverse line. It flies in one generation from June to August and has a 26-30mm wingspan. The larvae bore into the stem close to the ground. Host plant: Maize. Dutch name: Maisboorder. Frisian name: –
Flying period:
Genus: Pyrausta
Small Purple and Gold – 2017 (NL)
(NCBI-index: 1.594338)
The Small Purple and Gold (Pyrausta aurata) is a small, striking purple micro-moth with a round golden-yellow dot along the costa close to the apex. Some specimens also have some small golden-yellow streaks on the wing. The Small Purple and Gold is very similar to the Common Purple and Gold (Pyrausta purpuralis) but does not have a distinct golden-yellow dot on the wing. The Common Purple and Gold has more yellow-white surfaces, and a white band can also be seen on the hindwing. That band is more yellow in the Small Purple and Gold. It flies in two generations from May to September and is active during the day. The wingspan is 18-20mm, and the larvae feed in a spun web. Host plant: Mint, Calamint, and Marjoram. Dutch name: Muntvlinder. Frisian name: –
Flying period:
Genus: Pyrausta
Straw-barred Pearl – 2019 (NL)
(NCBI-index: 1.281420)
It took a while for the Straw-barred Pearl (Pyrausta despicata) to sit still so I could take a picture of it. This grass moth is mottled grey-brown, brown, or sand-colored. There are two dark dots in the middle of the wing, but with dark specimens, you hardly see those dots. There is a lighter zone along the costa of the wing and a lighter spot just in front of it. The flying period is in two generations, from April to September, and the wingspan is 14-19mm. The larvae feed in groups in silk spins. Host plant: Plantain. Dutch name: Weegbreemot. Frisian name: –
Flying period:
Genus: Pyrausta
Common Purple & Gold – 2023 (BE)
(NCBI-index: 1.101044)
With its orange-yellow markings on the purple wings, the purple moth (Pyrausta purpuralis) resembles the mint butterfly (Pyrausta aurata). On the top of the forewing, in addition to three orange-yellow spots of different sizes, the purple moth has an irregularly more prominent spot that bends from the inner edge towards the wing tip. When at rest, it appears that this moth has a moustache. The top of the hindwing is dark brown with a broad yellow transverse line and a yellow round spot near the wing root. The flight period is in two generations, from March to early September, and the wingspan is approximately 20mm. Host plant: Mint and Marjoram. Dutch name: Purpermot. Frisian name: –
Flying period:
