Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Family Zygaenidae Scientific name Zygaena purpuralis | Phylum Arthropoda Order Lepidoptera Genus Zygaena Rank Species | |
 | ||
Similar Zygaena loti, Zygaena minos, Zygaena, Zygaena carniolica, Zygaena ephialtes | ||
Zygaena purpuralis
Zygaena purpuralis, the transparent burnet, is a moth of the Zygaenidae family.
Contents
- Zygaena purpuralis
- Thymian widderchen zygaena purpuralis
- Description
- Distribution
- Habitat
- Subspecies
- References
Thymian widderchen zygaena purpuralis
Description
Zygaena purpuralis is a medium-sized moth with a wingspan reaching 30–34 millimetres (1.2–1.3 in). Usually the forewings show three bright red longitudinal streaks quite variable in shape, with almost transparent greyish-bluish edges. Hindwings are more extensively or almost completely bright red. Head and thorax are black, while the abdomen is dark blue. Adult moths are on wing from late May until August, depending on location. They fly during the day, especially with warm and sunny weather, feeding on nectar of various flowers. Larva are yellow, with some lines of small black spots. The larva feed on wild thyme (Thymus polytrichus, Thymus serpyllum, etc.). They occur from August to May and overwinter once or twice.
Distribution
This species can be is found in most of western, central and southern Europe, from Ireland to France through to Asia Minor, the Caucasus, Russia and the Altai Mountains.
Habitat
Zygaena purpuralis prefers sunny and grassy slopes, under cliffs and dry grassland.
Subspecies
There are several distinct sub-species: