Zygaena purpuralis (Brünnich, 1763) Species
Last modified: Nov. 4, 2023, 1:41 p.m.
A very rare and local species in the southern part of Belgium, not seen for a while
Details
- Classification
- Family: Zygaenidae > Subfamily: Zygaeninae > Genus: Zygaena > Subgenus: Mesembrynus > Species: Zygaena purpuralis
- Vernacular names
- Streep-sint-jansvlinder (NL), Transparent Burnet (EN), Zygène pourpre (FR), Thymian-Widderchen (DE)
- Synonyms
- Zygaena pilosellae (Esper, 1780) , Zygaena diaphana Staudinger, 1887 and Zygaena sareptensis Krulikovsky, 1897
- First mention in Belgium
- Lambillion L.-J. 1900–1913. Catalogue des Lépidoptères de Belgique. — Revue mensuelle de la Société entomologique namuroise Supplément: 1–464. On page 375.
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 30–34 mm. The forewings show three bright red longitudinal streaks quite variable in shape, with almost transparent greyish-bluish edges. Hindwings are more extensively or almost completely bright red with a small black border.
Only examination of the genitals allows them to be distinguished with certainty from Zygaena minos.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
No pictures yet!Bionomics
The larva lives free on the leaves and overwinters once or twice. The adults fly during the day, especially with warm and sunny weather, feeding on nectar of various flowers.
Flight periods
The adults are on the wing during late June and July.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Thymus praecox and Thymus serpyllum
- Host plant (genera):
- Thymus
The larva feeds on Thymus.
Habitat
It prefers sunny and grassy slopes and dry grassland.
