Seq # 410110270

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.

No pictures yet!

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.

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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.

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Flight periods

The adults fly mainly during June and July, occasionally later.


Observed on

Host plant (genera):
Vicia, Trifolium and Lotus

The oligophagous larva feeds on Fabaceae like Lotus corniculatus, Lotus peduncalatus, Vicia spp., Trifolium spp. and Onobrychis viciifolia. Rarely also Dorycnium pentaphyllum, Lathyrus pratensis and Medicago sativa.

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Habitat

It inhabits limestone grasslands.

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