Zygaena erythrus
| Zygaena erythrus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Zygaena erythrus, dorsal view | |
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| Lateral view | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Zygaenidae |
| Genus: | Zygaena |
| Species: | Z. erythrus |
| Binomial name | |
| Zygaena erythrus (Hubner, 1806) | |
Zygaena erythrus, common name Sluggish Burnet, is a species of moth in the Zygaenidae family.
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Subspecies
- Zygaena erythrus erythrus
- Zygaena erythrus actae Burgeff, 1926
- Zygaena erythrus miserrima Verity, 1922
- Zygaena erythrus saportae Boisduval, 1829
Distribution and habitat
This endangered species can be found only in France and Italy.[1][2] 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).[1][3]
Description
Zygaena erythrus has a wingspan of 25–33 mm.[4] 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.[5]
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.[3]
Biology
The life cycle involves only one generation per year.[5] Adults are on wing from the end of June to the beginning or mid August.[6] The hatching occurs between June and July.[5] The larvae feed on Eryngium species,[7] including Eryngium campestre[1] and Eryngium maritimum.[8] Full-grown larvae can be found from June. Pupation occurs within a cocoon usually adherent to the lower surface of the leaves,[5] but also on the ground between lichens, moss and parts of plants.[6]