Five-spot Burnet

• Latin name: Zygaena trifolii
• Family group: Burnets and Foresters (Zygaenids)
• Countries: England, Wales
• Size: Medium

Resident

Very similar to and sometimes difficult to distinguish from the Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet. Consequently, the distribution of the Five-spot Burnet is imperfectly known. In general, the forewing of the Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet is longer and more pointed, the upper angle of the hindwing being more pointed and the black border of the hindwing being narrower than those of the Five-spot Burnet. Rarely the red colour is replaced by yellow.

Two subspecies are found in the UK. Subspecies palustrella is distributed along the North and South Downs, Salisbury Plain and the Cotswolds. Also occurs on the Channel Islands. Subspecies decreta is found in southern and south-western England and parts of Wales, often near the coast, north to Anglesey. Also found on the Isle of Man.

Sometimes found commonly, the moth flies with a slow buzzing flight during sunshine and visits a range of flowers.

Conservation status

• UK Biodiversity Action Plan: Not listed
• UK status: Local (only found in some areas)

European/world range

Found throughout western and central Europe and Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.

Caterpillar foodplants

Subspecies palustrella feeds on Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil. The caterpillar of subspecies decreta feeds on Greater Bird’s-foot Trefoil.

Habitat

Subspecies decreta is found on damp grassland, wetter heathland and wetlands, whilst subspecies palustrella occurs on dry chalk or limestone grassland.