Zygaena viciae (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Species
Last modified: Nov. 22, 2023, 4:31 p.m.
A very rare species in the southern part of Belgium.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Zygaenidae > Subfamily: Zygaeninae > Genus: Zygaena > Subgenus: Zygaena > Species: Zygaena viciae
- Vernacular names
- Kleine sint-jansvlinder (NL), New Forest Burnet (EN), Zygène des Thérésiens (FR), Kleines Fünffleck Widderchen (DE)
- Synonyms
- Zygaena meliloti (Esper, 1789)
- First mention in Belgium
- Lambillion L.-J. 1904d. Lépidoptères nouveaux pour la faune belge. — Revue mensuelle de la Société entomologique namuroise 4: 47. On page 47.
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan c. 25–32 mm. A quite small species with a round-tipped forewing with five clearly defined red spots and a dark area beyond. Wings are more transparent than other Zygaenidae. Spot 3 small and elongate. Antenna weakly clubbed and slender.
Females may show occasionally an elongated spot 5.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
Genitalia
Egg
Pale green/yellow eggs are laid in clusters.
Caterpillar
Pale green to dark emerald-green, speckled with black, a whitish mediodorsal and subdorsal line, black anterior dorsal spots present, very small, a series of yellow spots present.
Cocoon/pupa
Pupa shiny, black, abdomen paler.
Bionomics
The larva lives freely on the leaves on the food plant and hibernates as larva once or twice and pupates in a papery cocoon. The adults are active during the day.
Flight periods
The adults fly mainly during June and July, occasionally later.
Habitat
It inhabits limestone grasslands.
