The Six-spot Burnet (Zygaena filipendulae) is a day-flying moth of the family Zygaenidae. It is a common species throughout Europe.

The sexes are similar and have a wingspan of 30-40 mm. The forewings are dark metallic green with 6 vivid red spots (sometimes the spots are merged causing possible confusion with other species such as Five-spot Burnet ). Occasionally the spots are yellow or even black. The hindwings are red with a blackish fringe. The adults fly on hot, sunny days from June to August and are attracted to a wide variety of flowers such as knapweed and scabious as well as the larval food plant bird's foot trefoil. The species overwinters as a larva.

The larva is plump and hairy with variable markings, usually pale green with rows of black spots. It pupates in a papery cocoon attached to foliage.

Subspecies

• Z. f. altapyrenaica
• Z. f. arctica
• Z. f. balcanirosea
• Z. f. campaniae
• Z. f. duponcheli
• Z. f. filipendulae
• Z. f. gemella
• Z. f. gemina
• Z. f. gigantea
• Z. f. himmighofeni
• Z. f. liguris
• Z. f. maior
• Z. f. mannii
• Z. f. noacki
• Z. f. oberthueriana
• Z. f. polygalae
• Z. f. praeochsenheimeri
• Z. f. pulcherrima
• Z. f. pulcherrimastoechadis
• Z. f. pyrenes
• Z. f. seeboldi
• Z. f. siciliensis
• Z. f. stephensi
• Z. f. stoechadis
• Z. f. zarana

References

Chinery, Michael Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe 1986 (Reprinted 1991)

Skinner, Bernard Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles 1984

Fauna Europaea