Zygaena rubicundus

Zygaena rubicundus, common name fulvous burnet,. is a species of moth in the family Zygaenidae.

Etymology

The Latin species name “rubicundus” means "high fiery red".^[1]

Distribution and habitat

This species is endemic to the mainland of Italy.^[2][3] These moths prefer limestone grasslands, mountain slopes and open scrub with the host plant.^[4]

Description

Zygaena rubicundus

Mounted specimen

Zygaena rubicundus can reach a wingspan of 27–35 mm (1.1–1.4 in).^[1] Seitz, A. describes Zygaena rubicundus as follows:- All the wings red, also the hindmargin, only the apex and distal margin of forewing bearing a black edge, which is a little more than 1 mm wide. In Central and South Italy. Very local.^[5]

This species is closely related to Zygaena contaminei.^[4]

Biology

These rather small diurnal moths develop a complete metamorphosis which involves a pupal stage (holometabolous). Adults are on the wing between June and August.^[4][6] They visit flowers of Centranthus (Valerians). ^[7] The larvae feed mainly on Eryngium campestre and Eryngium amethystinum.^[8][4][1]

Bibliography

• Hofmann, A.F. & W.G. Tremewan (2017): The Natural History of Burnet Moths (Zygaena Fabricius, 1775) (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae). Part 1. – 630 S.; Munich – Vilnius (Proceedings of the Museum Witt).
• Erstbeschreibung: Hübner, J. [1793-1832]: Sammlung europäischer Schmetterlinge 2: pl. 1-38.