SPHINGES 215 



The Broad-bordered Five-spotted Burnet (Zygcena Trifolii) 



On Plate IX (fig. 7) will be found a coloured representation of 

 this Burnet. The two crimson spots in the base of the fore wing 

 are very close together, and often touch. The same remark also 

 applies to the two spots on the middle of the wing. A glance at 

 the list of British Moths (Appendix I) will show that we have also a 

 IVarro?/;-bordered Five- spotted Burnet. This insect is very similar 

 to the species now under consideration, but may be identified by 

 the narrower purplish margin on the hind wings, and also by the 

 shape of the antennae, which are not thickened so much near the 

 end as they are in Trifolii. 



The larva of the present species is yellowish or greenish, with a 

 row of black spots on the back and a row on each side. It feeds on 

 the bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), hop trefoil (Trifolium 

 procumbcns), and the horse-shoe vetch (Hippocrepis comosa) in 

 May. Late in May or in early June the chrysalis may be found 

 in a silken cocoon attached to a stem or leaf; and the perfect 

 insect flies during June and July. 



The Six-spotted Burnet (Zygoma Filipendulce) 



So common is this moth, and so conspicuous when it flies in the 

 blazing sun, that it must be familiar to almost everybody. On a 



FIG. 106. THE SIX-SPOTTED FIG. 107. THE LARVA OP 



BURNET. FILIPENDUL;E. 



bright midsummer day hundreds may often be started from their 

 grassy beds from one little patch of ground. 



The colouring of the wings is much the same as in the last 

 species, but there are two crimson spots instead of one near the 

 tips of the fore pair. 



The larvae may be seen in vast numbers during May and June, 

 feeding on clovers (Trifolium pratense and T. repens], and the 



