Zygaena purpuralis

The Zygaena purpuralis, commonly known as the transparent burnet, is an eye-catching moth belonging to the Zygaenidae family. This medium-sized moth features a wingspan of 30 to 34 millimeters. Its forewings are marked with three bright red streaks bordered by a greyish-blue hue, while its hindwings are a vivid red. The moth's head and thorax are black, and its abdomen is a dark blue. The larvae are yellow with small black spots.

These moths can be observed from late May to August. They are diurnal flyers, often seen sipping nectar from various flowers. Their larvae feed on wild thyme and are present from August to May, undergoing one or two overwintering periods. Zygaena purpuralis is widely distributed across western, central, and southern Europe, from Ireland to Russia and Asia Minor, extending across the Palearctic to the Altai Mountains.

There are several subspecies of Zygaena purpuralis, each showcasing unique characteristics and regional distributions. Some notable subspecies include Zygaena purpuralis purpuralis, Zygaena purpuralis austronubigena, Zygaena purpuralis caledonensis, and Zygaena purpuralis dojranica, among others.