# Six-spot Burnet (*Zygaena filipendulae*) The Six-spot Burnet is a colorful moth with six bright red spots on its wings. It loves sunny meadows and can often be seen fluttering around flowers during the day. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Burnet Moth ![Six-spot Burnet](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Zygaena_filipendulae_%28side_view%29_-_Kulna.jpg&width=800) Photo: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zygaena_filipendulae_%28side_view%29_-_Kulna.jpg) ## Appearance The Six-spot Burnet has a stout, dark blue-green, metallic body and forewings. It is easily recognized by six distinct, bright red spots on each forewing, standing out vividly against the dark background. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Zygaenidae - **Genus:** Zygaena ## Interesting facts - Caterpillars eat plants with cyanide, making them super tough for predators to eat! - Some other insects try to look like this moth to trick predators! - This moth spins a shiny, papery cocoon often found on tall grass stems. - When scared, this moth oozes yellow, yucky-tasting liquid from its leg joints! ## Special abilities - **Toxic Shield:** Six-spot Burnet has toxic chemicals inside because of its diet, which helps them warn off predators. - **Daylight Dancer:** Six-spot Burnet can fly actively during the day, unlike most moths, that helps them find flowers. - **Pollen Power:** Six-spot Burnet has hairy bodies that help them carry pollen between flowers, aiding plant growth. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-40 mm - **Size:** 15-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 14-28 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch on plants, while adults sip nectar from flowers. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat leaves; adults drink flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Lotus corniculatus leaves, Centaurea nigra nectar, Cirsium spp. nectar, Knautia arvensis nectar - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [Bird's-foot Trefoil](https://www.snappit.app/explore/birds-foot-trefoil) (*Lotus corniculatus*) — Host plant for hungry caterpillars. - **Pollinates:** [Black Knapweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-knapweed) (*Centaurea nigra*) — Adults sip nectar, spreading pollen. - **Eats:** Common Cuckoo (*Cuculus canorus*) — One of few birds that can eat its toxic larvae. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low These moths are safe to observe, but don't touch them as they can be delicate. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Six-spot Burnet? Compare resting wing shape, forewing markings, antennae and body build. Small brown moths can hinge on fine details a phone photo can't always catch. Moth Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Six-spot Burnet's wingspan? 30-40 mm ### How big is Six-spot Burnet? 15-20 mm ### How long does Six-spot Burnet live? 14-28 days ### What does Six-spot Burnet eat? Caterpillars munch on plants, while adults sip nectar from flowers. ### Where is Six-spot Burnet usually found? Grasslands ### How does Six-spot Burnet hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Six-spot Burnet have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Skandinavisk Dyrepark](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/skandinavisk-dyrepark) — Central Denmark Region, DK · Zoo ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Six-spot Burnet: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/six-spot-burnet)