54.007 BF168

New Forest Burnet Zygaena viciae

([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Wingspan 22-32 mm.

Formerly resident in the New Forest, Hampshire, the subspecies ytenensis is now extinct. The subspecies argyllensis was discovered breeding on a single hillside in Western Argyll, Scotland in the early 1960s and is now the only known site for this species.

Flying in July, the adults resemble other five-spotted Zygaena species, but are quite small and have noticeably rounded forewing tips.

The larvae feed on common bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and meadow vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis).