Mint-moth
Guides
Pyrausta
Mint Moths
Pyrausta is a speciose genus of crambid moths commonly known as mint moths. Larvae of various species feed on diverse host plants including mints (Mentha), monardas, Prunella vulgaris, and other herbaceous plants. Several species are significant agricultural or horticultural pests, notably Pyrausta nubilalis (European corn borer), a major pest of maize with a nearly worldwide distribution. The genus exhibits considerable variation in host specialization, with some species restricted to single host genera while others are polyphagous.