Zygaena erythrus

Zygaena erythrus, common name sluggish burnet, is a species of moth in the family Zygaenidae.

Mounted specimen of Zygaena erythrus

Zygaena erythrus
Zygaena erythrus, dorsal view
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)

Subspecies
  • Zygaena erythrus erythrus
  • Zygaena erythrus actae Burgeff, 1926
  • Zygaena erythrus miserrima Verity, 1922
  • Zygaena erythrus saportae Boisduval, 1829

[1]

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 heathlands, 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]

Technical description and variation (Seitz)
For a key to the terms used, see Glossary of entomology terms.

Z. erythrus Hbn. (= saportae Boisd.; minos Boisd.) (4a). Larger; antenna longer, with thicker club. The red colour of forewing restncted to 3 streaks , the distal one being wedge-shaped ; moreover, only the basal third of the hindmargin of forewing is red. South France, Italy and Sicily. In ab. irpina Zickert, from the Riviera, the cuneiform spots are confluent. — As magna [Seitz, [1907] ] (4 a) a very large form from the Abruzzi is sold by Staudinger; the posterior cuneiform spot is strongly widened and distally straight-truncate.— Larva dull greenish yellow, witli heavy black dots subdorsally and yellow side-spots (Sapokta); in some districts not distinguishable from the larva of purpuralis. On Eryngium and Thyme (Rouast). Hibernating; pupation at end of May. Imago in June and July; frequently sitting on Thyme and Eryngium.[6]

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.[7] The hatching occurs between June and July.[5] The larvae feed on Eryngium species,[8] including Eryngium campestre[1] and Eryngium maritimum.[9] 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.[7]

References
  1. Zygaena at funet
  2. Fauna Europaea
  3. Natura Mediterraneo
  4. Nature of Italy
  5. Treknature
  6. Seitz, A., 1913, in Seitz, Gross-Schmett. Erde 6: 22.,The Macrolepidoptera of the Palearctic Fauna 2. Volume: The Palearctic Bombyces & Sphinges. pdf
  7. Schmetterlinge und ihre Ökologie
  8. Moths and Butterflies of Europe and North Africa
  9. lepiforum.de


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