Zygaena erythrus

Zygaena erythrus
Zygaena erythrus, dorsal view
Lateral view
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Zygaenidae
Genus: Zygaena
Species: Z. erythrus
Binomial name
Zygaena erythrus
(Hubner, 1806)

Zygaena erythrus, common name sluggish burnet, is a species of moth in the family Zygaenidae.

Mounted specimen of Zygaena erythrus

Subspecies

  • Zygaena erythrus erythrus
  • Zygaena erythrus actae Burgeff, 1926
  • Zygaena erythrus miserrima Verity, 1922
  • Zygaena erythrus saportae Boisduval, 1829

[1]

Distribution and habitat

This endangered species can be found only in France and Italy.[1][2] It prefers dry and rocky areas with sparse vegetation and limestone substrate, but it is also present in heathlands, in nutrient-poor grasslands and in broad verges in oak forests with the host plant Eryngium species, from sea level to over 1,500 metres (4,900 ft).[1][3]

Description

Zygaena erythrus has a wingspan of 25–33 mm.[4] These quite large moths show enlarged and confluent red spots on the forewings, surrounded by black in the distal part. Females are little bigger than males, with a yellow golden dusting and less defined markings. The mature larva is rather dark greyish, with two series of dorsal black spots.[5]

This species is very similar to Zygaena purpuralis, but it has red scales in the axillary area of the forewings, up to a third of the length.[3]

Biology

The life cycle involves only one generation per year.[5] Adults are on wing from the end of June to the beginning or mid August.[6] The hatching occurs between June and July.[5] The larvae feed on Eryngium species,[7] including Eryngium campestre[1] and Eryngium maritimum.[8] Full-grown larvae can be found from June. Pupation occurs within a cocoon usually adherent to the lower surface of the leaves,[5] but also on the ground between lichens, moss and parts of plants.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Zygaena at funet
  2. ↑ Fauna Europaea
  3. 1 2 Natura Mediterraneo
  4. ↑ Nature of Italy
  5. 1 2 3 4 Treknature
  6. 1 2 Schmetterlinge und ihre Ökologie
  7. ↑ Moths and Butterflies of Europe and North Africa
  8. ↑ lepiforum.de


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