54.006 BF166

Scotch Burnet Zygaena exulans

(Hohenwarth, 1792)

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Wingspan c.25-33 mm.

This montane species has a very restricted distribution in Scotland .

Adults emerge usually in early July or the end of June, although this is very dependant on the season. They fly low in sunshine, otherwise sitting on short vegetation.

Larvae feed near bare rocky mountain tops in areas with short sparse heather/crowberry cover. They feed mainly on crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) and are also very sunshine dependant, basking and feeding when the sun is out and quickly disappearing into vegetation during cloudy spells. They will feed avidly in sunshine even in high cold winds.