Zygaena trifolii
- 5 Spot Burnet moths (Zygaena trifolii) can be found all over Cowbar in July and August, especially gathered together on the ragwort and knapweed.
- The larvae feed on Birds-foot trefoil.
- They live in damp meadows, marshes and cliff tops.
- There are several other species of Burnet Moth including the 6-Spot, the Slender Scotch, the Transparent and the Narrow Bordered 5 spot Burnet and they can all sometimes be mistaken for Cinnabar moths, also red and black.
- They are poisonous and get their bitter tasting toxins (cyanogens) from their food plants as well as making them themselves.
