Zygaena laeta
Zygaena laeta
Zygaena laeta is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of burnet ( Zygaenidae ).
- 3.1 Flight times and caterpillars
- 3.2 food of the caterpillars
- 4.1 Notes and references
- 4.2 Literature
Features
Butterfly
The moths reach a wingspan of 26-34 millimeters. The front wings are stretched and have wide, converging, longitudinal red stripes, which are interrupted by two black dots, a black wedge and a dark outer edge. The hind wings are red with a narrow, dark outer edge. The antennae have a club-like thickening at the end. The moths have a red ruff. The thorax is black, the abdomen strongly colored red about halfway, and only at the very end black again, resulting in the type can be easily distinguished from other Rotwidderchen species. The proboscis is well trained.
Egg
The eggs are elliptical and yellow-white color.
Caterpillar
The newly hatched caterpillars turn solid yellow white. Full grown they are stout, strongly curved shape and brightly colored blue-green. You have indistinct whitish back and side lines, which are framed by black and yellow dots.
Doll
The pupa is yellowish, dark brown in the front.
Occurrence
The species occurs in the southeastern Central Europe through Hungary to the Black Sea, to the south in Greece and Turkey. In German-speaking countries it is found in Lower Austria ( approximately in the Wachau) and Burgenland and prefers dry regions, such as steppes.
Way of life
The moths are diurnal, buzzing fly preferably in sunshine and suck like other flowers such as Scabious ( Scabiosa ) and ring thistles ( Carduus ). In the rest they keep the wings roof-like. The females lay eggs in small groups from the food plant. The caterpillars overwinter and pupate in a long, längsfaltigen, yellowish cocoon.
Flight times and caterpillars
The moths fly in one generation in July and August. The caterpillars can be found in August and after hibernation until June.
Food of the caterpillars
The caterpillars feed mainly on field - holly ( Eryngium campestre ).