About Pyrausta purpuralis Linnaeus, 1758
This species, with the scientific name Pyrausta purpuralis Linnaeus, 1758, is commonly called the Common Purple & Gold. It closely resembles the related species Pyrausta aurata and Pyrausta ostrinalis. This moth has a wingspan of approximately 20 mm. Its forewings are purple, more or less mixed with dark grey. Markings on the forewings are ochreous yellow with black edges: there is an oblique fascia near the base that does not reach the costa, a spot in the middle of the disc, an irregular postmedian fascia that is sometimes broken into three spots, and sometimes a subterminal streak that does not reach the apex. The hindwings are black, and their base is sometimes suffused with whitish-ochreous; a discal spot and curved postmedian fascia are whitish-ochreous. Sometimes there is a whitish-ochreous subterminal streak, which may be purple in its middle section. The larva is dark grey, with yellowish dorsal and spiracular lines, and black spots edged with whitish. This species is found in Europe.
