There are a few related species similar to this dainty little moth, although it is distinguished from these by its generally darker and more unicolorous forewing with the single conspicuous golden yellow spot.
There are two generations, occurring from mid-April to June and again from July to mid-September. It has also been found in mid-March and sometimes into early October. Flies actively in sunshine and also at night. During the day adults are often found sitting on the leaves of Mint or related species.
Size and Family
- Family – Pyrales
- Small Sized
Conservation status
- UK BAP: Not listed
- Common
Caterpillar Food Plants
The caterpillar feeds on various Labiatae, such as Mint (Mentha sp.) including garden cultivars, Cat-mint (Nepeta cataria), Calamint (Clinopodium sp.), Marjoram (Origanum vulgare), Clary (Salvia sp.), Culinary Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and probably also Wild Thyme (T. polytrichus).
Habitat
Associated with chalk and limestone grassland, quarries, woodland, marshland, amongst waterside vegetation and, increasingly, gardens.
Distribution
- Countries – England, Wales, Scotland
- Patchily distributed in England, Wales, southern Scotland and the Inner Hebrides. Occasionally found in numbers where it occurs. Also recorded from the Channel Islands.

Mint moth - Allan Drewitt
Mint moth
Allan Drewitt

Mint Moth - Ryszard Szczygieł
Mint Moth
Ryszard Szczygieł

Mint moth - Patrick Clement
Mint moth
Patrick Clement

Mint moth - Allan Drewitt
Mint moth
Allan Drewitt

Mint moth - Liam Richardson
Mint moth
Liam Richardson

Mint Moth

Mint Moth - Koen Thonissen
Mint Moth
Koen Thonissen

Mint Moth - Koen Thonissen
Mint Moth
Koen Thonissen

Mint Moth - Dave Shenton
Mint Moth
Dave Shenton

Mint moth (caterpillar) - creaturesnapper
Mint moth (caterpillar)
creaturesnapper

Mint moth (caterpillar) - Patrick Clement
Mint moth (caterpillar)
Patrick Clement