Sussex Moth Group: Zygaena filipendulae

Zygaena filipendulae (Linnaeus, 1758)

Subspecies:
     Zygaena filipendulae filipendulae (Linnaeus, 1758)
     Zygaena filipendulae stephensi Dupont, 1900
     Zygaena filipendulae pulcherrima Verity, 1921

Six-spot Burnet
54.0080 (B&F: 169)

»Suborder: Glossata
  »Superfamily: Zygaenoidea
    »Family: Zygaenidae
      »Subfamily: Zygaeninae
        »Tribe: Zygaenini

Number of records: 4,721
Recorded in: 730 1km grid squares
Date of most recent record: 18 viii 2024

Identification
difficulty

: 1Species that can be relatively easily identified even by inexperienced recorders with the use of up-to-date field guides. Such records would be accepted without the need for additional evidence as long as they conform to the normal flight period and geographical range of the species.

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)