Zygaena viciae, the New Forest burnet moth, is a member of the Zygaenidae family, found in the northern hemisphere. Since 1927 it has been extinct in the New Forest, England, after which it is named. It is also known in Europe as the small five-spotted ram.
Distribution and habitat
The moth is found in southern and central Europe, and in Scotland (Z. v. argylliensis), where it survives in very small numbers. It is also found in southern Scandinavia. In the east, the range extends to Lake Baikal.
Life cycle and behaviour
Pale green/yellow eggs are laid in clusters. The larvae feed on the leaves of clover and vetch species. Their appearance varies with region, but they are generally green, with yellow and black spots. They pupate within a cocoon attached to foliage. The adults' wingspan is 22âÂÂ32 mm, they fly by day, and they are on wing in July.
Subspecies
- Zygaena viciae viciae
- Zygaena viciae argyllensis <small> Tremewan, 1967</small>
- Zygaena viciae bosniensis <small> Reiss, 1922</small>
- Zygaena viciae charon <small> Hübner, 1796</small>
- Zygaena viciae dacica <small> Burgeff, 1914</small>
- Zygaena viciae ehnbergii <small> Reuter, 1893</small>
- Zygaena viciae fernandezi <small> Gomez Bustillo & Fernandez-Rubio, 1976</small>
- Zygaena viciae hulda <small> Reiss & Reiss, 1972</small>
- Zygaena viciae italica <small> Caradja, 1895</small>
- Zygaena viciae nigrescens <small> Reiss, 1921</small>
- Zygaena viciae nobilis <small> Navas, 1924</small>
- Zygaena viciae rhaetica <small> Burgeff, 1926</small>
- Zygaena viciae sicula <small> Calberla, 1895</small>
- Zygaena viciae silbernageli <small> Reiss, 1943</small>
- Zygaena viciae silenus <small> Burgeff, 1926</small>
- Zygaena viciae stentzii <small> Freyer, 1839</small>
- Zygaena viciae subglocknerica <small> Reiss, 1943</small>
- Zygaena viciae ytenensis <small> Briggs, 1888</small>
References
Bibliography
External links