Zygaena minos (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Species
Last modified: Nov. 4, 2023, 12:30 p.m.
Mentioned for the first time in Belgium in 2018 from 7 specimens identified through genital examination by J.-L. Renneson in an old collection from 1951 (now deposited in RBINS), Torgny (LX), leg. M. Fontaine.
Perhaps other specimens of this species are hidden in series of Zygaena purpuralis because the external morphology of both species is much alike.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Zygaenidae > Subfamily: Zygaeninae > Genus: Zygaena > Subgenus: Mesembrynus > Species: Zygaena minos
- Vernacular names
- Bevernel-sint-jansvlinder (NL), Blood Drop Burnet (EN), La Zygène diaphane (FR)
- First mention in Belgium
- Renneson J.-L. 2018. Etude des zygènes de la collection Maurice Fontaine 1913–1994, (1ère partie) : Zygaena minos ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) et Zygaena purpuralis (Brünnich, 1763), (Lepidoptera, Zygaenidae). — Lambillionea 118(3): 213–218. On page 215.
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 33–37 mm. The imago is not distinguishable from Zygaena purpuralis in the field, only by genital dissection.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
No pictures yet!Bionomics
The adults are active during the day. The adults like to feed nectar on Knautia arvensis, Dianthus carthusianorum and Echium vulgare.
Flight periods
The adults are on the wing in June and July.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Pimpinella saxifraga
The larva feeds on Pimpinella saxifraga.
Habitat
Calcareous grasslands, nutrient-poor meadows or open pine forests in limestone areas.
