Zygaena filipendulae (Linnaeus, 1758)
Subspecies:
Zygaena filipendulae filipendulae (Linnaeus, 1758)
Zygaena filipendulae stephensi Dupont, 1900
Six-spot Burnet
54.0080 (B&F: 169)
»Suborder: Glossata
»Superfamily: Zygaenoidea
»Family: Zygaenidae
»Subfamily: Zygaeninae
»Tribe: Zygaenini
A resident species in decline, often common and occasionally very common in a variety of grassy habitats - generally most numerous on the Downs and near the coast. Widespread but there are now large areas without recent record and high numbers are extremely local and distinctly episodic. Numerical levels independently vary annually in each colony. Single-brooded, generally flying throughout July, sometimes from mid-June or to late August. Larvae feed on bird's-foot trefoil. Vetches and clovers have also been mentioned as local food plants but these remain unconfirmed. (Pratt, 2011)
