Burnished Brass

Diachrysia chrysitis

Species ID / Burnished Brass
Iain H Leach
Heath McDonald
Dave Shenton

Identification Tip

This unmistakeable moth has a spectacular brassy, metallic sheen on the forewings.

What do they eat?

Caterpillars munch on:

  • Common Nettle (favourite)
  • Hemp Agrimony
  • Wild Marjoram
  • Michaelmas Daisies

Adults feed on a range of flowers including:

  • Red valerian
  • Honeysuckle

Where does it spend the winter?

This moth spends the winter as a small caterpillar, amongst vegetation and near to the ground.

Ideas to help Burnished Brass in your Wild Space

Grow some herbs

Butterfly-friendly plants for borders

Leave stems and flowerheads uncut over winter

Superstar plants for any Wild Space

Size

small
medium
large

Flying Season

June - October

Life Cycle

Adult

June, July, August, September, October

Egg

July, September

Caterpillar

January, February, March, April, May, July, August, September, October, November, December

Chrysallis

May, August

Want to learn

more?

There is even more about this species on the main Butterfly Conservation website

Fun Facts
about the Burnished Brass

There are two different forms occurring naturally. Some have a complete band in the centre of their wings, breaking the brassy areas into two. Others have an incomplete mark, with an unbroken metallic patch.