Six-spot Burnet
Six -spot Burnet ( Zygaena filipendulae )
The Six -spot Burnet ( Zygaena filipendulae ), also called blood droplets, is a butterfly (moth ) from the family burnet ( Zygaenidae ). The species is also known as Six-spot Rotwidderchen.
- 5.1 Flight and caterpillar time
- 6.1 Notes and references
- 6.2 Literature
Features
The Six -spot Burnet is characterized by six red spots on the front wings, the front two spots may merge. The hind wings are a deep red color. This striking coloring with the black - red-colored wings signaled predators that the species is toxic ( warning color ). The moths reach a wingspan of about 38 mm. The caterpillars are about 22 mm long and are distinguished by a black head capsule. They are built stocky and tapered at both ends abruptly. The yellowish green caterpillars body has a double dorsal row of black spots which is on both sides accompanied by yellow drawings. Occasionally, the black mark is so strong that the whole body is black.
Subspecies
There are currently 25 known subspecies.
- Z. f altapyrenaica Charles le 1950
- Z. f arctica Schneider 1880
- Z. f balcanirosea Holik 1943
- Z. f campaniae Rebel 1901
- Z. f duponcheli Verity 1921
- Z. f Filipendulae Linnaeus 1758
- Z. f gemella Marten 1956
- Z. f gemina Burgeff 1914
- Z. f gigantea Rocci 1913
- Z. f himmighofeni Burgeff 1926
- Z. f liguris Rocci 1925
- Z. f maior Esper 1794
- Z. f mannii Herrich -Schäffer 1852
- Z. f oberthueriana Burgeff 1926
- Z. f polygalae Esper 1783
- Z. f praeochsenheimeri Verity 1939
- Z. f pulcherrima Verity 1921
- Z. f pulcherrimastoechadis Verity 1921
- Z. f pyrenes Verity 1921
- Z. f seeboldi Oberthuer 1910
- Z. f siciliensis Verity 1917
- Z. f stephensi Dupont 1900
- Z. f stoechadis Borkhausen 1793
- Z. f Zarana Burgeff 1926
Similar Species
- Klee Burnet ( Zygaena lonicerae ) ( Zygaenidae )
- Hufeisenklee Burnet ( Zygaena transalpina ) ( Zygaenidae )
- Marsh trefoil Burnet ( Zygaena trifolii ) ( Zygaenidae )
- Small Five -spot Burnet ( Zygaena viciae ) ( Zygaenidae )
Occurrence
The Six -spot Burnet is found in many parts of Europe. It can live in more than 3,500 meters above sea level and is diurnal.
Habitat
Meadows, valleys, cliffs, fallow land and forest edges are part of the habitat of the Six-spot Widderchens.
Way of life
The females lay eggs from July to August on the forage from. To the caterpillar food plants include birdsfoot trefoil ( Lotus corniculatus ) and Plebejus ( Coronilla ). The caterpillars feed until well into the autumn, winter and are fully grown the following year in June. A portion of the crawler can overwinter a second time. Pupation takes place in an elongated, yellowish white cocoon of dried stems and blades of grass. The moths emerge from July to August.
Flight and caterpillar time
The Six -spot Burnet flies in one generation from July to August. The caterpillars can be observed in September. They overwinter and are continuing to grow in June of the following year.