Pyrausta

For the grass moth genus, seePyrausta (moth).

Pyraustaorpyrallis(πυραλλίς) (also called in Greekpyrigonos) is amythologicalinsect fromCyprus.It is a four-legged insect with filmy wings. It lived in the fire like asalamanderand died if it went away from the fire. Janssens identifies it with theMelanophila acuminata.

See also

• Salamanders in folklore
• Dragons in Greek mythology

References

• The Natural HistoryofPliny the Elder,Book 11, Chapter 42;the Latin text readspyral(l)isand eitherpyraustaorpyrotocon.
• Aelian,On the nature of animals2, 2:pyrigonos.
• Em. Janssens, "Le « pyrotocon » de Pline l'Ancien",Latomus,9, fasc. 3 (juillet-septembre 1950), pp. 283-286 (Société d'Études Latines de Bruxelles).