Zygaena viciae
Small Five -spot Burnet ( Zygaena viciae )
The Small Five -spot Burnet ( Zygaena viciae ) is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of burnet ( Zygaenidae ).
- 3.1 Flight times and caterpillars
- 3.2 food of the caterpillars
- 6.1 Notes and references
- 6.2 Literature
Features
The moths reach a wingspan from 22 to 32 millimeters and are thus significantly smaller than the similar to them burnet. They also have a more delicate build. Your slightly translucent wings are colored black, as with all Rotwidderchen and have a slight greenish tinge on. On them are five, very rare to find six, partly elongated red spots. However, these have less contrast than the other burnet. The third spot is very small. The hind wings have a black edge of wing, this is broader in the males than in the females. The sensors are thin and very short. Your tip is widened to a flask but flat.
The caterpillars are about 18 mm long and are covered with short white. They are whitish - green and have a white dorsal line. On each segment are located on both sides of two small black dots, the outer is much smaller. Just below the line with the larger points is a white longitudinal line that is interrupted at the back of each segment by a yellow spot.
Similar Species
- Fenugreek Burnet ( Zygaena lonicerae )
- Marsh trefoil Burnet ( Zygaena trifolii )
- Hufeisenklee Burnet ( Zygaena transalpina )
- Six -spot Burnet ( Zygaena Filipendulae )
Occurrence
They are found in South and Central Europe, west to Scotland, in southern Scandinavia, and east to Lake Baikal. In southern England, they are extinct. They live both on dry grass and flower-filled meadows and along forest trails and wet meadows. They are ( Zygaena filipendulae ) next to the Six -spot burnet the most common type in Central Europe.
Way of life
Flight times and caterpillars
The moths fly in one generation from mid-June to July. The caterpillars can be found in August and after hibernation until May of the following year.
Food of the caterpillars
The caterpillars feed on the leaves of the ordinary foot Trefoil ( Lotus corniculatus ), sainfoin seed ( Onobrychis viciifolia ), Bird Vetch (Vicia cracca ) and Meadow pea ( Lathyrus pratensis).
Development
The caterpillars hide during the day on the ground and eat at night. Only on cloudy days they are also active. They overwinter and pupate in May in a boat- shaped, bright yellow cocoon that is attached to blades of grass. The doll itself is dark brown and has a yellow-white abdomen.
Threats and conservation
- Red List BRD: V ( near threatened ).