Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Family Zygaenidae Rank Species | Phylum Arthropoda Order Lepidoptera Genus Zygaena | |
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Similar Zygaena romeo, Zygaena hilaris, Zygaena brizae, Zygaena occitanica, Zygaena lavandulae | ||
Zygaena erythrus, common name sluggish burnet, is a species of moth in the family Zygaenidae.
Contents
Subspecies
Distribution and habitat
This endangered species can be found only in France and Italy. It prefers dry and rocky areas with sparse vegetation and limestone substrate, but it is also present in heatlands, 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).
Description
Zygaena erythrus has a wingspan of 25–33 mm. 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.
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.
Biology
The life cycle involves only one generation per year. Adults are on wing from the end of June to the beginning or mid August. The hatching occurs between June and July. The larvae feed on Eryngium species, including Eryngium campestre and Eryngium maritimum. Full-grown larvae can be found from June. Pupation occurs within a cocoon usually adherent to the lower surface of the leaves, but also on the ground between lichens, moss and parts of plants.