Zygaena cynarae

Zygaena cynarae is a species of moth in the Zygaenidae family. It is found from France east to Russia.

It is a large Zygaena with translucent wings with oval or rounded red spots. The anterior median spot is well developed. The basal posterior and median posterior spots are large and linked with a red line which can be missing in some specimens. The wingspan is about 30–31 mm.

Technical description and variation (Seitz)
Z. cynarae Exp. (= millefolii Esp.) 5-spotted, the body entirely without hairs, with metallic green gloss; wings very sparsely scaled, the colour appearing pale. The abdomen bears a red ring which is more distinct at the sides than above. In ab. turatii Stdf. [now subspecies] the abdominal belt is entirely missing above, appearing only as a lateral spot; North Italy, Dalmatia; near Pegli, at the Riviera, I met constantly with this form, while it occurs elsewhere only sparingly among the type-form. — ab. tricingulata Burgeff [ synonym of cynarae ] has 3 abdominal belts, which, however, are usually red only above and laterally, not below. —. In genistae H.-Sch. (= dahurica H.-Sch. ), from South France, Hungary and the Tyrol, the forewing is paler and more transparent. — centaureae Fisch.-Wald. [now full species Zygaena centaureae ] has a stronger antenna and the 5th spot is prolonged towards the hind angle. — Larva greenish above, yellowish grey at the sides ; subdorsal black dots, near which there are yellow spots; head greyish green.

Biology
Adults are on wing from mid May to July.

The larvae feed on Peucedanum species, including Peucedanum cervaria. Part of the larvae overwinter multiple times. Full-grown larvae can be found from April to the beginning of June.

It is a very local and sedentary species, which requires dense colonies of its hostplant. They are sluggish and clumsy insects; the individuals occur more singly, there being apparently no decided flight-places as is the case with other Burnets.

Subspecies

 * Zygaena cynarae cynarae
 * Zygaena cynarae adriatica Burgeff, 1926
 * Zygaena cynarae florianii Dujardin, 1965
 * Zygaena cynarae franconica Holik, 1936
 * Zygaena cynarae goberti Le Charles, 1952
 * Zygaena cynarae jadovnika Rauch, 1977
 * Zygaena cynarae samarensis Holik, 1939
 * Zygaena cynarae tolmezzana Meier, 1957
 * Zygaena cynarae turatii Standfuss, 1892
 * Zygaena cynarae tusca Verity, 1930
 * Zygaena cynarae vallettensis Reiss, 1958
 * Zygaena cynarae waltharii Burgeff, 1926