Description
Zygaena ephialtes has a wingspan reaching 35–40 millimetres (1.4–1.6 in). The forewings are dark blue, with five or six spots very variable in the color, as they may be red, yellow or white. Usually these spots are red, while the ring segment (belt) on the abdomen may be yellow or red. The hind wings are red, yellow or completely black and have a delicate, black outer edge.
The caterpillars are about 22 millimeters long. They have a greenish yellow basic color and carry longitudinal lines of black dots and square patches. Eggs are pale green, while pupa are yellow-brown.
The moths fly in one generation from early July to August. The caterpillars can be found in September and after hibernation until June of next year. The females lay their eggs on the food plants of the caterpillars. In most cases, the caterpillar overwinters several times until it finally pupates in a long, silver-white web on stems or shrubs.
The larvae feed mainly on the vetches Coronilla varia and Coronilla emerus, but also on the wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum), horseshoe vetch (Hippocrepis comosa) and other types of clover (Trifolium), speedwell (Veronica (plant)) and plantain (Plantago).
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