Fauna
Insect · GBIF taxon 5107219

Six-spot Burnet

Zygaena filipendulae

Also known as Six-spotted Burnet Moth, Six-spot Burnet Moth

Six-spot burnets flutter through sunlit meadows and coastal grasslands during midsummer, easy to spot as they feed on purple wildflowers like knapweeds and scabious. Their glossy, blue-black forewings feature six vivid crimson spots that serve as a stark warning to predators of the toxic hydrogen cyanide stored within their tissues. Papery yellow cocoons anchored high on grass stems signal the emergence of adults after caterpillars complete their development on bird's-foot trefoil.

Day-flyingMothAposematic
Six-spot Burnet reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Kostas Zontanos, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Bird's-foot trefoil foliage
  • Knapweed nectar
  • Scabious nectar
Predators
  • Parasitoid wasps
  • Crab spiders
  • Robber flies
ThreatsAgricultural intensification, habitat fragmentation, overgrazing, and scrub encroachment.
HabitatsUnimproved grasslands, chalk downland, coastal dunes, quarry slopes, and road verges.
Life span1–2 years including larval diapause; adults live 2–4 weeks.
Classification
  1. OrderLepidoptera
  2. FamilyZygaenidae
  3. GenusZygaena
  4. SpeciesZygaena filipendulae
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Synthesizes hydrogen cyanide; safely admire without touching or ingesting.
Why it is dangerous
Synthesizes and stores hydrogen cyanide throughout all life stages, making it toxic if ingested by humans or pets.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by metallic blue-black forewings stamped with six bright crimson spots.
What to do
Observe from a short distance and prevent pets or children from handling or ingesting the insect.
Responsible observation
  • Best Viewing: Search sunny grasslands and coastal cliffs on warm, windless days between June and August.
  • Spotting Cocoons: Look for distinctive, shiny yellow silken pupae attached high on stiff grass stalks.
  • Approach Gently: Adults are slow, sluggish fliers that often rest calmly on flower heads, allowing close observation.
Related species
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Species set

Moonlight Marvels

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