Scotch Burnet

• Latin name: Zygaena exulans
• Family group: Burnets and Foresters (Zygaenids)
• Countries: Scotland
• Size: Small

Resident

Sometimes referred to as the Mountain Burnet, the forewings of this moth are thinly-scaled with five distinct, though sometimes very small, red spots. Its montane habitat and hairy body help to distinguish this moth.

Occurs in the UK as an endemic subspecies, subochracea, which is restricted to the eastern Cairngorms near Braemar, Aberdeenshire where it can be common.

Active in sunshine with a low, erratic buzzing flight, but will hide amongst vegetation during bad weather. Attracted to flowers, particularly Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil, but also Mountain Everlasting and others.

Conservation status

• UK Biodiversity Action Plan: Not listed
• UK status: Rare (Red Data Book category 3)

European/world range

A boreo-alpine species, occurring in Scandinavia and on the major mountain ranges of western and southern Europe. Its range extends to Siberia and Mongolia. In Lapland it occurs elevations as low as 150m, but altitude increases the further south it is found.

Caterpillar foodplants

The caterpillar feeds mainly on Crowberry, eating the terminal shoots and unripe berries. Also Cowberry, Bilberry and Heather.

Habitat

Frequents the higher slopes, c.700-850m high, and summits of mountains, where the mainly prostrate vegetation consists of Crowberry, heathers and lichens with scattered Bilberry and Mountain Everlasting.